This is not a sight you would normally see in the morning as commuters head into Burton for a busy day at work - St Peter's bridge empty of traffic like a scene from the movie 28 Days Later.

The bridge usually sees more than 24,000 vehicles travel over it every day, but that will now stop for three months as Staffordshire County Council carries out vital repair works. The council will be on the bridge to carry out essential repairs to "life-expired" bearings, which are needed to keep the bridge safe.

The council will also carry out waterproofing and resurfacing work to allow HGVs to continue to access the town. In the new year, Burton Bridge will also be closed as repair works are carried out there.

Meanwhile, the picture was very different on Burton Bridge as drivers from all directions headed for the old bridge, which used to be the only bridge into the town until St Peter's opened to traffic in 1985.

The Swan junction was reportedly chaotic earlier this morning, as many more cars than usual were joining Burton Bridge at the same time.

Traffic has been building in both directions on Burton Bridge

Traffic has been backed up onto the A444 Stapenhill Road, Burton Road and St Peter's Street as traffic is diverted away from the closed bridge.

The A511 Bridge Street is also affected in both directions around the B5008 Newton Road.

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The work on St Peter's Bridge will take around three months to complete and is expected to be finished in November.

The council's cabinet member responsible for highways, Mark Deaville said the project is an "important investment in the gateways to the town and will help make a real difference to the long-term prosperity of people in Burton."

Traffic has been building on the way into Burton as St Peter's Bridge closes for three months

He told the Burton Mail: "We are reminding people that from Tuesday, August 29, St Peter's Bridge will be fully closed so the essential repair work can be carried out safely.

"The scheme is vital for the future prosperity of Burton and will strengthen and protect the route for the long-term.

"This is a major project and will mean the bridge will be free of unplanned and disruptive maintenance work in the future, and help support local businesses and economic growth.

"Once again I would ask people to bear with us as the work is carried out and thank them in advance for their co-operation and patience."

Workers prepare to start work on St Peter's Bridge

Although the roads haven't been too busy this morning, that could all change next week when the schools go back.

Hundreds of parents will be getting into their cars to drop their children off at one of the multiple schools in the town. The increase in cars heading into Burton is expected to cause severe delays to commuters.

Details for the St Peter’s Bridge works diversion are as follows:

For vehicles travelling east, the diversion route will be via A5189 Orchard Street, Evershed Way, Shobnall Road, A5121 Wellington Street, Waterloo Street, Byrkley Street, Derby Street, A511 Horninglow Street, Wetmore Road, Bridge Street (Burton Bridge) and A444 Stapenhill Road.

For vehicles travelling west the diversion route will be via A444 Stapenhill Road, A511 Bridge Street (Burton Bridge), Horninglow Street, A5121 Derby Street, Borough Road, Wellington Street, A5189 Shobnall Road, Evershed Way and Orchard Street.

People can find out more about the scheme by visiting www.staffordshire.gov.uk/burtonbridges