Vital £6.1 million repair work to St Peter's Bridge which has caused weeks of disruption for motorists and local businesses is on schedule - with highways chiefs saying they are 'pleased' with progress.

Project team works to the key arterial route are once again getting under way - replacing bearings and deck joints needed to improve the structure.

Last week the project team completed bearing designs and removed all the pavements and old surface in the revamp which involves crucial strengthening work to allow HGVs to continue to use the route.

From Tuesday, the crews are working to restore the major route by removing the last parts of the old road surface and waterproofing before installing new deck joints.

The crews are now out on site from 7.30am to 10.30pm Monday to Friday, as well as Saturday until 4.30pm in order to get the work completed as quickly as possible.

Workmen are now into the second week of a 12 week project, refurbishing St Peter's Bridge
Workmen are now into the fourth week of a 12 week project, refurbishing St Peter's Bridge

Staffordshire County Council said it is working with bus operators to minimise disruption to passengers, with some putting on additional services while the £6.1m project takes place.

Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member responsible for highways, said: "The bridge repair project is on schedule and we are pleased with the progress so far.

"These are really vital improvements which will ensure that the bridge, which forms a vital link through the town, will be free of unplanned and disruptive maintenance work in the future, and help support local businesses and economic growth.

"We know these works are disruptive and we have been working with businesses and bus operators. Many have adapted their ways of working where possible. Once again we would like to thank people for their understanding while the work is carried out."

Some of the supports to St Peter's Bridge are starting to show signs of deterioration and need replacing, so as result the bridge will be being closed for 3 months, from the end of August
These are essentially the supports that are having to be replaced.
The bearings need replacing to strengthen the bridge's structure

Traffic is being diverted via Burton Bridge and pedestrians via Ferry Bridge. The project should be completed by the end of November.

People can find out more about the project, diversions and public transport arrangements at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/burtonbridges

What Burton Mail readers are saying:

While the essential works to St Peter’s Bridge rumble on, residents continue to take to social media to vent their frustration at the disruption the repairs are causing.

Steve Smith said: "I said all along that businesses will be lost. The planning has been absolutely non-existent with no traffic light sequence changes, nothing. I wonder if anybody from the council even knows the traffic chaos going on."

Claire Bareja added: "My parents business has been running 31 years, but this year has been particularly tough due to on and off road closures from Branston island through Tatenhill with extremely long diversions.

The three- month closure has caused disruption to motorists

"Currently the bridge closure, Branston island to Tatenhill is closed and numerous road work from Rosliston to Walton are having a huge impact. Customers are just not travelling from Burton, Swadlincote, Winshill, etc. As it just takes too long. What can anyone really do about it? The work has to be done at some point."

Matt Crivelli is just one of many commuters who has been stuck in the gridlocked traffic. He wrote: "The traffic tonight was stationary from Burton Bridge back to just before the Beacon in Tutbury Road. Thankfully I was going in the other direction but it is the worst I have seen so far, more than three miles."

Lisa Edwards said she "feels for" commuters, businesses and college and school students calling the situation an "absolute nightmare."

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Michaela Hunt wrote: "I think people have a right to moan. It is 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 have had to do) and having my daughter being late for school (which is in Ashby by the way, so it is not just Burton that is being affected) is going to frustrate people.

"I, along with many are just not bothering with Burton now and this is going to end some small businesses I am sure. So yes, moaning won’t make it go any quicker, but I can 100 per cent understand why people are frustrated."

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