Many people have ditched the car in favour of pulling on their walking boots to beat the traffic nightmare due to the closure of one of Burton's main bridges.
With St Peter's Bridge being closed for three months, until the end of November, people have been trying to find alternative ways of getting to work and in to the town for shopping so they do not have to spend ages trapped in their cars in the tailbacks.
The bridge, which is a main route in and out of town is closed to traffic both ways for vital repair work to replace rusted bearings in a £6.1 million scheme. If the work is not done a weight restriction would have to be imposed on the bridge, said highways bosses at Staffordshire County Council.
But the closure has left the town gridlocked and drivers fuming as they are forced to endure major delays. Traffic has been backing up in all directions as drivers try to find a way around the town.
And many drivers have have decided to take a different - and healthier - approach to getting into town as they walk or cycle from the Stapenhill end, with the town's Ferry Bridge seeing lots more footfall.
People have been leaving their cars at various locations in Stapenhill and then getting oit and walking or cycling along the iconic bridge to get into town and then back across at the end of the day. They have told of how they have been avoiding the now crazy rush-hour traffic. And regular walkers who use the bridge have reported that the area 'feels safer' as there are more people about.
Annie Hurst, 44, of Stapenhill, told the Burton Mail that she had opted for walking across the bridge on odd days depending on what commitments she had.
She said: "I try to avoid the bridge as much as I can but I have been stuck in the traffic a few times. I have found that it is worse later in the day when the kids have finished school and there's rush-hour traffic.
"However, there has been lots more people using the bridge. I have just been parking at the end of the bridge and then walking down into town."
Angela Fitchett, of Spring Terrace Road, in Stapenhill, said it is nice to see more people walking.
The 62-year-old said: "I walk anyway as I don't drive but it has been a lot busier lately. We call them fair weather walkers but I don't think they will be walking when the bad weather comes.
"It is nice to see the school kids walking as I don't normally see them. They all seem to be going to Paulet High School, which is a bit of a walk for them. More people walking is good though as it keeps you fit and builds up an appetite."
Diane Burke, 66, of Stapenhill, has been walking across the Ferry Bridge for 30 years as she has always walked to work. She thought it was nice to see more people walking but was not sure it would continue as it got colder.
Susan Pridding, 58, of Church Gresley, said she hade been parking by the vets in Stapenhill and then walking into town across the bridge.
She said: "I am not sure what it is like normally as I don't normally walk. There is a lot more people than I thought there would be, but it is not chucking it down at the minute. We have just been taking it day by day but it does mean that I get my steps up."
Joan Cartwright, of Holly Green, in Stapenhill, has had to change her shopping habits as a result of the bridge closure.
The 74-year-old said: "On a Thursday I always walk across the bridge. I used to use St Peter's Bridge to get to Tesco and sometimes I have walked across the Washlands, but I have not been able to do it as it is really sludgy at the minute so I have been shopping at Asda.
"I have definitely seen more people than normally, I have usually only see the odd student. My husband used to tell me never to walk across Ferry Bridge when he was alive but now everyone is doing the same and it makes it safer."
One walker said he had seen a few motorcyclists using the bridge some days.
He said: "I walk across this bridge every morning and evening, before and after work. I did it before the bridge closed. I like to believe that the bridge is busier and I hope it is. When people are coming into town it is simpler to cycle or walk. I have even seen a few motorcycles go over the bridge.
Sandra Aldridge, 58, and her husband Peter, 55 of Cumberland Road, Stapenhill use the bridge. Mrs Aldridge said: "It does make it a lot safer and it is nice to see more people using Ferry Bridge. We remember years ago and it used to be packed with people walking and it is nice to see it starting again. It is definitely healthier."
All you need to know about the St Peter's Bridge works
'Life-expired' rusted bearings on St Peter's Bridge were in such a poor state there was a risk of seeing a weight limit introduced on the structure if they continued to deteriorate. A weight restriction would mean heavier vehicles would nt longer be able to use it.
After pushing to secure the money needed to improve the structure, Burton MP Andrew Griffiths and Staffordshire county councillor Conor Wileman said they were pleased to get the £6.1 million needed for the project, which got under way on Tuesday, August 29.
When the money was secured from the Government pot, there was a time limit on how long their was to complete the work - or the authority risked losing the cash.
The vital strengthening work being carried out by highways workers from Staffordshire County Council will allow HGVs to continue to access the town. The project also included waterproofing and resurfacing. This will be followed by improvements to Burton Bridge in the New Year.
To allow the strengthening work to be carried out safely the St Peter's Bridge has to be closed in both directions, says a county council spokesman. Meanwhile traffic is being diverted via Burton Bridge and pedestrians have to use the Ferry Bridge. Work is expected to be completed by the end of November. But the move has caused huge traffic problems in the town, with traders, including taxi firms reporting problems.
Early next year more work will be carried out on Burton Bridge which will include strengthening, resurfacing and upgrading gullies to help prevent surface flooding. When that work takes place, the bridge will be closed to all traffic and drivers will be diverted via St Peter's Bridge. Again this is set to cause major traffic problems for the town.
The history of St Peter's Bridge and crossing the River Trent
Readers have their say on Facebook
The closure of St Peter's Bridge is causing chaos in the town and this is set to continue until the end of November.
As people find alternative routes in to the town, many have taken to the Burton Mail's Facebook page to have their say:
Rachel Gibbs said: "I accept that the bridge has to close for essential repairs but I would like Staffordshire highways to explain why close the bridge just as the schools return and why are they are not working 24/7 to lessen the impact.
"The workmen finish at 5pm every day. I wish I could. I finish at 5.30pm then I have to sit in a gridlocked Burton for an hour to get home, a journey that usually takes 20 minutes in rush-hour traffic."
Michaela Hunt said: "I think people have a right to moan. It's causing disruption to business, workers, school runs and hospital appointments, and not just for a little while either. We all know that it needs doing, but having to cancel hospital appointments (which I've had to do) and having my daughter being late for school (which is in Ashby by the way, so not just Burton affected) is going frustrate people.
"I, along with many, am just not bothering with Burton now and this is going end some small businesses I'm sure. So yes, moaning won't make it go any quicker, but I can 100 per cent understand why people are frustrated."
Aimie Morgan said: "These people would be the first to moan if the work wasn't done at all and the bridge needed even more extensive work. Just leave earlier or find an alternative route!"
Susan's Page said: "They close the bridge to do work that needs doing, so people walk or cycle from Stapenhill, but the walk ways are that over grown there isn't even a footpath coming from Waterside Road heading towards town, it's awful."
