An award-winning chip shop owner has raised fears over the length of time needed to fully reopen Burton Bridge - and claims he has never seen roads "so quiet" in the town.
George Andreou, 36, owner of the Wetmore Road Fish Bar, in Wetmore Road, says drivers are avoiding gridlocked roads near his premises while Burton Bridge is closed to traffic exiting the town.
The landmark bridge over the River Trent is shut for 10 weeks while essential work is carried out to strengthen it.
If the work is not done, the bridge may eventually have to close to traffic for good, according to Staffordshire County Council.
Currently much traffic is avoiding Wetmore Road - which leads on to Burton Bridge - to escape any gridlocked roads.
However, Mr Andreou said he has not so far been affected as much as by last year's complete closure of St Peter's Bridge.
He also offered half price food from Monday to Thursday this week and said the premises had been very busy.
He said: "We are open for business. We know Burton Bridge is partially closed for 10 weeks and so the roads are very quiet this side of Burton.
"However, it is very easy to get down to us. It is probably not so much at lunchtime if you're coming over the bridge because it is very difficult to get back. But in the evenings it is very easy to get to us and back.
"It has not really affected our trade as bad as we thought. St Peter's Bridge closure was much worse because all our customers who live towards Stretton can get to us very easily.
"I have never seen Wetmore Road so quiet in the nine years we have been here.
"I am not ignorant to the fact that I know the bridge has to be done. There are major problems with it.
"My concern is that 10 weeks is a very long time to fix any road. I know the bridge is a big thing. I am just hoping it is done as quickly as possible.
"As I say the only trade we have lost is probably over the bridge in the daytime when our elderly customers won't drive to us because it will take them an hour to get back.
"But in the evenings, everyone living across the bridge has been coming. It has been very easy to get here and it has been quick coming back as well."
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport Helen Fisher said: “This work is essential to safeguard the future of the bridge and is part of an overall £6.1million investment in both of the town’s main bridges.
"We have involved businesses and the community from the outset and rescheduled the works following a consultation with them.
“Although we all know this work needs to be done, I recognise too the significant impact this will have on some people’s journeys and that’s why we have taken steps to help mitigate the impact where possible, including reducing the length of the scheme and keeping one lane open into Burton.
"We have asked people to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.
"We want to spread the message that Burton remains well and truly open for business and to support local traders.
"The bridge is hugely important for the town and its economy and we would ask people to bear with us while this vital work is completed.”
