Branston Railway Bridge

 23 December Update

Branston Bridge will be closed for the foreseeable future due to safety concerns.

The Victorian bridge, which had only reopened last week, has had to be closed once more after vehicles repeatedly ignored width and weight restrictions.

With CCTV installed on the bridge, officers have been monitoring traffic over the weekend to check that the restrictions were being observed.

Over three days, officers observed vehicles ignoring red traffic signals, concrete barriers being hit and damaged by over-width vehicles, and cones being moved to allow two lanes of traffic on the weak bridge.

HGVs have also been seen ignoring signs on the approach to the bridge, and having to reverse backwards or make a U-turn, creating more traffic.

Staffordshire County Council Deputy Leader Philip White said: “We opened Branston Bridge last week in the hope that people would comply with the extra safety precautions put in place. However, after crews have been out over the weekend, and through monitoring the CCTV that has been installed on the bridge, we have witnessed signs being ignored, barriers being damaged, and cones being moved.

“Restrictions have been put on the bridge because it is not safe for heavy and wide vehicles to use. When people flout the many safety warnings we have put in place, they risk damaging the bridge even further and compromising its structural integrity, which then creates an unacceptable risk to public safety. We therefore have no option but to close it.

“We understand that this will be disappointing for some, but we just can’t compromise people’s safety.”

Engineers are finalising a programme of extensive works that will see wider and heavier vehicles able to use the bridge once more. The works, which could begin in mid-January, are dependent on gaining the necessary permissions from Network Rail and other key organisations such as utilities that cross the bridge. Local residents will be updated on the solution and timings in due course.

19 December Update

A bridge in Burton that has been closed for repairs is planned to open to limited traffic on 19 December.

The Victorian Branston Bridge was closed in November for safety reasons, and repairs to a damaged parapet have taken place throughout early December.

The bridge was previously under weight and width restrictions due to structural issues. Now, following further inspections and localised repairs to the bridge and the brick parapet, it is planned that the bridge will be reopened today, in time for the Christmas Break.

To ensure the structural integrity of the bridge, new, stricter width restrictions will need to be put in place. Now, only vehicles of 2.1 metres or less will be able to cross.

An extended network of updated signage will be in place to remind people well in advance of the weight and width restrictions, and drivers are being advised to ensure they know the width of their vehicle before using the route.

CCTV has also been installed on the structure, and footage of any oversized vehicle attempting to cross the bridge will be passed to enforcing authorities.

To help vehicles comply and remind people of the enhanced width restrictions in place, highways officers will be on the bridge for a few days after it opens to help motorists and to assist with traffic.

Following the Christmas break, it is anticipated that the bridge will close once more in mid-January, when more extensive repairs to the structure will take place to allow wider and heavier vehicles to cross it.

These repairs are still being worked on by engineers, and are dependent on gaining the necessary permissions from Network Rail and other key organisations such as utilities that cross the bridge. Local residents will be updated on the solution and timings in due course.

9 December Update

Engineers from Staffordshire County Council have started work to repair the parapet on Branston Bridge in Burton.

The Victorian bridge has been closed to all traffic for the past three weeks due to a damaged parapet.

Whilst the bridge is closed, crews are on site to repair the parapet, which weather permitting should take around nine days to complete and after which the plan is to reopen the bridge.

Weight and reduced width restrictions will still be in place alongside additional monitoring.

Further work will be taking place during overnight rail possessions over the next two weekends to carry out localised repairs to further stabilise the brick arch.

Engineers are also working on options to repair and reinforce the bridge, with the goal of eventually reopening it, including to larger vehicles. 

This effort includes a comprehensive assessment of the structure, with detailed surveys and design work that demand careful attention. The complexity of the railway line and surrounding embankments makes the process more time-consuming, but this careful approach is essential to ensure a safe and reliable solution. 

27 November update

Over the weekend (23 – 24 November), our crews performed essential work on Branston Bridge. This included repairing brickwork and conducting additional structural analysis.

The work was carried out beneath the bridge during a planned railway line closure.

In response to feedback from local residents, we have reviewed and updated the road signage to more clearly warn drivers that the bridge is closed. Additional signs have been installed at St. Peter’s Roundabout and Anglesey Road.

An environmental weight limit remains in effect for the section of Main Street between the A5121 Parkway and the bridge, as well as Clays Lane near the Morrisons entrance. Signs are in place to indicate this restriction. However, legitimate access is still allowed for delivery drivers and for those accessing shops or the Branston housing development site via the A5121 Parkway.

We've also set up a temporary bus service to provide a link between Branston and Burton town centre. It is a Diamond Bus service, and this is the detailed timetable: 112 Burton to Branston Service - Full Timetable

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue safely and efficiently.

On Wednesday (20 November), we had to take the difficult decision to put an emergency closure on Branston Bridge, Burton, due to HGV drivers continuing to break the weight and width restrictions introduced for safety reasons.  

As is the case across the country, Staffordshire has a large number of bridges constructed during the 19th Century and - while bridges from this era can be expected to last for hundreds of years - we monitor all of them on a regular basis to identify and resolve issues. 

Following routine investigations and further structural assessments, we introduced weight and width restrictions on the Branston Bridge in August to keep people safe. Unfortunately, some drivers have broken these restrictions, putting the bridge – and the community – at risk.

Extensive signage was in place to alert drivers to the weight and width restrictions. There were both permanent and temporary signs, given the existing environmental weight restriction on the B5018 Main Street.

We also engaged with local businesses permitted to use the bridge for HGV access under the pre-existing weight restrictions. They were informed about the new rules and the alternative routes, and they communicated this information directly to their drivers.

While we continuously evaluate ways to improve signage, there is no reasonable excuse for professional HGV drivers to be unaware of the limits or to break the law.

Clear CCTV footage showed vehicles illegally crossing the bridge, and we will be passing their details on to Staffordshire Police so they can be prosecuted. However, this type of enforcement can only happen after the law has been broken.

Our engineers are working on a safe and permanent long-term solution which involves extensive site investigations and requires Network Rail to close the railway line at night to allow us access. We will also be using this closure to repair brickwork underneath the bridge and a parapet. We’ll share more updates on this in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we are aiming to reopen the bridge to cars before Christmas, but we will only do so if it can be done safely and with additional measures to ensure that the restrictions cannot be broken in any circumstance.

Regular updates will be posted on the Branston Railway Bridge webpage to keep you informed of the progress.

We recognise the severe disruption this closure will cause, but it is essential to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to make Branston Bridge safe for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the works taking place?

Options to strengthen the existing arch are being explored and our engineers are currently discussing several options with the supply chain, utility companies and Network Rail, whilst undertaking additional site investigation and detailed design. Alternatively, a replacement bridge may be required. 

Our teams will be on site undertaking regular inspections of the existing structure and other maintenance within the traffic management.

When will the works be completed?

A completion date is not yet available, but once the most appropriate option is determined we will have a more definitive program for the works.

Will I be able to access over the bridge?

Branston Bridge is closed to traffic under an emergency order. The bridge remains open to cyclists and pedestrians.

What effect could the works have on me?

Branston Bridge is closed to traffic under an emergency order. Through traffic will be maintained for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

Bus companies have been informed of the current diversion and alternative services are now effective along the diversion route. Revised timetables should be available on the Traveline website and on Staffordshire County Council bus map and timetable pages two weeks before the amendment date, or you can email publictransport@staffordshire.gov.uk for a timetable.

HGVs are required to use the diversion route, passing beneath the railway bridge to the east near Anglesey Road.

How you can help us

You can help us to get the job done with the minimum of fuss by following this advice:

• Please keep children away from the works and parked machinery to ensure their safety.
• Please follow the signed diversion routes.
• Please do not move traffic management equipment.
• Please do not approach the work site due to unprotected edges.