Video Loading

Major work on Burton Bridge is now into the third day and will last for up to 10 weeks as part of a £6.1 million improvement scheme.

The work is part of a major project 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 from us today but we will be back tomorrow, bright and early, with all your traffic and travel updates.

  • Share

Burton town centre is now starting to clear

Traffic is clearing in most Burton roads now but drivers are still experiencing problems in Orchard Street, on the A511 Ashby Road and one St Peter’s Bridge.

  • Share

Slow traffic in Willington

Traffic is building up on the A5132 Carriers Road, in Egginton, heading eastbound.

This is between the A38 Willington and Egginton turn off and the B5008 Canal Bridge.

  • Share

Update from Midland Classic

Update from Midland Classic: Due to an earlier incident on the A38 the 1750 route X12 from Burton upon Trent to Lichfield will be a few minutes late departing.

  • Share

Heavy traffic on Hawkins Lane

Our reporter in Hawkins Lane is reporting that it is the busiest it has been so far this week. She said the traffic is that bad the cars are now moving.

  • Share

Horninglow Road North has now cleared

The earlier accident on Horninglow Road North has now cleared. Police said no-one was injured in the accident and the people involved have exchanged details.

  • Share

Traffic at Alrewas is heavier than normal

There is queuing traffic on the A38 northbound between the A513 for Alrewas and Tamworth and the B5016 Barton and Walton.

Inrix is reporting that the traffic is heavier than normal.

  • Share

Accident on Horninglow Road

A two vehicle accident is causing delays on the A511 Horninglow Road North in both directions.

According to Inrix, the accident occurred near to Dover Road and there is slow traffic in the area as the road is partially blocked.

Police and ambulance are in attendance and this is affecting traffic between Beam Hill and Burton.

  • Share

Accident at Clay Mills

An accident is causing delays on the A38 southbound near the A5121 for Clay Mills.

The road is partially blocked and there is queuing traffic.

This is affecting traffic between Egginton and Burton.

  • Share

Slow traffic

Traffic information website Inrix is reporting that there is slow traffic at St Peter’s Bridge in both directions.

The traffic may not have been helped by the earlier accident but congestion is now believed to be caused by the closure of the eastbound side of Burton Bridge. One lane still remains open for those travelling into Burton.

  • Share

Buses running as normal

Midland Classic has admitted the roads are not wonderful, but its services are running on time

  • Share

Police on St Peter's Bridge accident

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said:

We were called at 12.15pm today to reports of a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a white Suzuki Swift and a silver Kia Sportage at the island outside Asda in Burton-on-Trent.

The ambulance service were called to the scene.

The road has been cleared but traffic is still slow in the area.

Incident 328 of 20 June. We have no reference for the ambulance log or any information on the level of injury so please contact them directly.

  • Share

Accident on St Peter's Bridge

Drivers are warned of a two car accident on St Peter’s Bridge.

According to Inrix, there has been an accident on the roundabout near to Asda at the junction of the A5121 Orchard Street, B5018 Branston Road and Lichfield Street.

The road is partially blocked and the traffic is moving slowly.

  • Share

Why is the open lane in one direction only?

Staffordshire County Councils says it did consider a tidal flow system, where the flow of direction is changed during the day. However, the authority said this would lead to standing traffic being effectively “penned” through the town as the changeover took place. This would lead to as many as 400 to 500 vehicles queuing through the town and would lead to congestion, confusion and long delays.

It would also cause greater difficulties for emergency services in planning or making potentially life-saving journeys and after gathering views from the police, fire and ambulance services we agreed that one-direction into Burton was the only safe, viable option.

  • Share

Why does the work need to take place?

Why does the work need to take place?

St Peter’s Bridge and Burton Bridge provide main routes into Burton town centre carrying on average 24,000 vehicles a day each.

Burton Bridge has served the town well for more than 150 years – but time has taken its toll and it is imperative that weakness in the structure are tackled now.

Unlike the modern St Peter’s Bridge, the strength for Burton Bridge comes from the arch-based design stretching across the river. There are around 30 arches.

The strengthening work will involve filling three of the disused and redundant arch spans already closed on one side and supporting a further span, under which the footway/cycleway passes, by constructing an arch beneath it. This will reinforce the weak spot on the bridge.

Without this investment now St Peter’s Bridge would have eventually closes and people using Burton Bridge would have faced increasing, crippling delays due to the need for ongoing repairs.

Traffic building on Orchard Street, in Burton
Traffic building on Orchard Street, in Burton

This was the scene near Asda on Monday afternoon

  • Share

Business tweets pictures

Moira-based builders have been taking some photos of the queuing traffic as a result of the bridge work

  • Share

Burton is open for business

The bosses of two of Burton’s main shopping centre tell us how they have been faring and declare the town is open for business.

Read the full story here.

  • Share

See the latest information

See what the last two days have been like due to the bridge work by reading here.

  • Share

Tram tracks exposed

Twitter user Glyn Burroughs has discovered tram tracks exposed as work continues on Burton Bridge

  • Share