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It has been a busy week in Burton so far as major work on Burton Bridge has well and truly started and will last for up to 10 weeks.

The work is part of a major £6.1 million improvement scheme aiming to strengthen and safeguard both of bridges over the River Trent in the town centre, which are major routes into Burton.

If the work is not done on Burton Bridge there is a the risk that a weight restriction might have to be imposed in the future - and the bridge might have to eventually close, a top county councillor has said.

The work had been planned to start at the beginning of the year but was postponed amid fury from businesses hit hard after the closure of the town's other main bridge over the River Trent - St Peter's Bridge - last year. The repairs to the two bridges are part of a £6.1 million improvement scheme.

There have been periods when traffic is queuing across the town, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. We aim to keep you up to date with all the traffic news so you can plan your journey.

Follow our live updates throughout the day.

That's all folks

That is all for today but we will be back at 7am tomorrow with all of your traffic and travel news.

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Most of Burton is now clear

Traffic is calming down in Burton now but drivers may still face some delays on Shobnall Road and Orchard Street.

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Traffic is not looking too bad in the town centre now

Traffic is not looking too bad in the town centre
Traffic is not looking too bad in the town centre (Image: Google Maps)
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Road heading towards A38 looking clearer this evening

According to our reporter Wetmore Road, Wharf Road and Derby Road are all clear this evening for those setting off now. The A38 is busy between Clay Mills and Egginton, with traffic unable to go over 40 miles per hour, but after that the road is clear.

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Traffic building up in Shobnall Road

Traffic is now starting to build up in Shobnall Road, Burton, in both directions.

This is between the A5121 Wellington Road/B5017 Shobnall Road and the A444 St Peter’s Street/Main Street.

The traffic is moving slowly.

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This is the current traffic situation in Burton town centre

This is the current traffic situation in Burton town centre
This is the current traffic situation in Burton town centre (Image: Google Maps)
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Bus delayed as traffic builds up

Update from Midland Classic: Traffic is getting very heavy approaching the New Bridge from Burton. Some buses are being delayed as a result.

Route 8 : The 1535 Burton to Swadlincote is 15 minutes late
Route 2 : We are putting a fresh bus into the route from Burton, as the inbound journey is stuck in the queue
Other than that, buses are running within a few minutes of where they should be

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Tram tracks are now being removed from Burton Bridge

Part of the town’s history is being removed as part of the work on Burton Bridge.

Read the full story here.

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Traffic builds on Worthington Way

Motorists are warned that traffic is starting to back up on Worthington Way in Burton.

It is causing congestion to Station Street and High Street.

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The scene in Union Street currently

Traffic is already queuing in Union Street next to Sainsbury’s as motorists are directed to St Peter’s Bridge, rather than Burton Bridge which is closed to exiting traffic.

Traffic in Union Street
Traffic in Union Street
Traffic in Union Street
Traffic in Union Street
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Burton is 'open for business'

The town is open for business as shoppers are encouraged to visit the town despite the partial closure of Burton Bridge.

Here is what two shopping bosses had to say.

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Some buses running late

Bus firm Midland Classic has Tweeted the following:

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See where traffic has been building up throughout the week

Here are the routes to avoid

Read our blog here

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'Support your local traders' call

The work on Burton Bridge will involve strengthening, resurfacing and improving drainage on the arched bridge, which opened more than 150 years ago.

Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Burton Gateways Scheme, said: “Burton Bridge is very much an iconic landmark and has served the town well for more than 150 years, but it is imperative that the strengthening work is now done so the town can benefit for many more years to come.

“During the scheme Burton will still be very much open for business and we would encourage people to continue to show their support for local businesses while the work is being carried out.”

The one lane which remains open heading into town on Burton Bridge
The one lane which remains open heading into town on Burton Bridge
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Slow traffic reported

There is slow traffic reported near St Peter’s Bridge which remains the only main route out of Burton for 10 weeks.

Traffic and travel information website Inrix reports that traffic is slow between A5121 Orchard Street (Evershed Roundabout) and A444 St Peter’s Street/Main Street.

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What you need to know

We put together an ‘everything you need to know’ factfile about the work taking place on Burton Bridge.

Read it here

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Here is why the work needs doing

Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Burton Gateways Scheme, said: “This major programme of investment to safeguard the future of both St Peter’s Bridge and Burton Bridge is absolutely vital to the local economy and to keeping people on the move.

“After listening to the views of people, businesses and the 999 services, we rescheduled the scheme to the quieter Summer months, cut the length of the programme and redesigned the scheme to keep one lane on the bridge open.

“While you can’t carry out works on this scale without some level of disruption, we hope these steps will help mitigate the impact and we would encourage people to plan ahead and allow more time for their journeys if they need to cross the bridges at peak times during the works.”

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