Wheeled, Walking & Cycle Improvement Scheme – B5017 Shobnall Road, Burton-upon-Trent
October 2025 update
Works to complete the wheeled, walking and cycling improvements along Shobnall Road are due to take place on Sunday 16 November and Monday 17 November.
The works will take place under a full road closure and temporary traffic signal control as detailed below:
There will also be a requirement for some temporary footway closures and temporary pedestrian crossings.
The diversion route will be signed but feel free to use other routes that might be more convenient to you.
Vehicular access to property frontages will be maintained during construction and any specific restrictions will be advised to affected residents prior to restrictions being in place.
During construction we will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum. However, there may be occasions where, for the safety of our site teams, we need to carry out operations which impact on the community. Where possible we will notify individuals in advance of this and work with those affected to ensure that any inconvenience is minor.
During the earlier phase of works in July, August and September, unforeseen defects underneath the road surface were uncovered meaning part of the original design needed to be altered. At the time, it was not possible to maintain the required traffic management on Shobnall Road considering the cumulative effect of these and other works in the Burton area.
The dates for completing the scheme have been carefully chosen to avoid taking place at the same time as other nearby schemes and Screamfest at the nearby National Forest Adventure Farm.
The following activities will be carried out to complete the works:
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience which may be caused during the final phase of the works.
About the scheme
A UK Government grant has been secured by the sustainable travel charity Sustrans, for the design and delivery of a highway improvement scheme along Shobnall Road in Burton-upon-Trent. As the local highway authority, Staffordshire County Council will be working in partnership with Sustrans and Trent & Dove Housing Association to deliver the scheme aimed at improving wheeled, walking and cycling (WWC) along Shobnall Road.
The outcome for the scheme is to provide a safe link between two off-carriageway sections of National Cycle Network (NCN) route 54. Currently, the off-carriageway sections of NCN 54 terminate just to the east of the A38 overpass on Shobnall Road and again at the footway link to the Shobnall Leisure Complex, between Price Court and Hendeley Court.
The extents of the works will see the installation of a new parallel crossing at the western end of the scheme, connected to the access link leading to the Shobnall Leisure Complex, by a 150m length of 3m wide shared footway/cycletrack.
The widened footway will see the introduction of two ‘continuous footways’ across the two entrances to Price Court. These ‘continuous footways’ remove the traditional dropped crossings in favour of maintaining the raised paved area through the junction. Similar to a driveway access, this approach will further reinforce the requirement for motorists to give way to pedestrians and other non-motorised users at the two side roads.
Other measures include;
- Upgrades to the two existing bus stops at this location,
- Changes to existing drainage as part of the kerbing works,
- Improved wayfinding signage for the NCN 54 route,
- Other traffic signs and road markings required as part of the scheme.
Scheme Drawings
The links below shows a drawing illustrating the proposals traffic management arrangements:
Diversion Route Information
The signed diversion route will be as follows:
- Shobnall Road
- Forest Road
- Henhurst Hill
- Burton Road
- Newborough Road
- Vicars Hill
- Sudbury Road
- Lichfield Road
- Draycott Cliff
- New Row
- Main Road
- Station Road
- A50 J A515 Roundabout
- Unnamed Section Of A50 From A515 North To District Boundary
- A50 From J A515 Roundabout To J A511 E
- Unnamed Section Of A50 From District Boundary To A511
- Uttoxeter Road
- A50 From J A511 To J A516 E
- A50 J A511 Leave/Join E
- Unnamed Slip Roads On A50 At Junction With A511
- Unnamed Section Of A511 From A50 To Uttoxeter Road
- Packenham Boulevard
- Bridge Street
- Tutbury Bypass
- Lodge Hill
- Tutbury Road Rural
- Tutbury Road
- Horninglow Road North
- Horninglow Road
- Derby Street
- Borough Road
- Wellington Street
- Wellington Road
Note: The diversion route will be signed, but feel free to use other routes that might be more convenient to you.
When are the works taking place?
The works are to be delivered in two phases in order to take advantage of combined working with a third-party contractor who will be undertaking upgrade works to a gas main at the same location.
Phase 1 - Construction is due to commence on Saturday 19 July 2025 for 3 weeks under a full road closure continuing until Friday 8 August.
Phase 2 – We will then return on Monday 11 August 2025 to continue through to completion on Monday 1 September 2025.
Phase 2 will be carried out under temporary traffic signals with a 2-day closure for resurfacing and road markings at the end of the job on Sunday 31 August and Monday 1 September.
These dates are provisional and could be affected due to unforeseen issues arising during the construction or inclement weather.
What is the proposed duration of the works?
Phase 1 – Three weeks under a full road closure.
Phase 2 – Three weeks under temporary 4-way traffic signals and 2-day closure (31 August and 1 September 2025)
Will I be able to access my home/business?
Yes, access will be maintained to homes and businesses.
How will the works affect me?
During construction we will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum. However, there may be occasions where, for the safety of our site teams, we need to carry out operations which impact on the community. Where possible we will notify individuals in advance of this and work with those affected to ensure that any inconvenience is minor.
How you can help us
For the effective and expedited delivery of the scheme your assistance in the following would be greatly appreciated:
- Please keep children away from the works to ensure their safety.
- Always adhere to traffic management extents.
- Please do not move or alter any signing or barriers which make up part of the traffic management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What provision will there be for any cycle parking?
As part of this scheme there is currently no plan to provide any cycle parking. There is parking available at the key destinations which this now link is looking to connect; Shobnall Leisure Complex, Burton town centre, Branston Water Park, etc.
Why are the works being carried out?
It has been a long-term goal for Staffordshire County Council to improve this section of NCN 54. By working with Sustrans, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Trent & Dove Housing Association we are now in a position to be able to deliver on this aspiration.
The outcome will be a significant enhancement of this section of the NCN 54 which is an important part of the National Cycle Network which runs through Staffordshire and provides access to trails within the Peak District National Park.
Locally, we should see benefits with improved safety, better mobility and accessibility for wheeling, walking and cycling.
Where can I find details of Staffordshire County Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for the Burton area?
Staffordshire County Council’s LCWIP has been approved by the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport and will be pivotal in helping the County Council to continue to make the case for future walking and cycling funding.
Where can I find details of the National Cycle Networks routes and more information about Sustrans?
Sustrans are a national charity organisation who work for and with communities, helping them come to life by walking, wheeling and cycling to create healthier places and happier lives for everyone. . Details of the national Cycle network are available on their website.
How are the works to be funded?
Funding is provided from Central Government as part of a successful grant bid made by Sustrans.
What is the cost of the works?
The total value of the grant funding for the scheme is £308,122.
What are the benefits to the people of Burton?
Delivery of schemes such as this across the country ahs been shown to provide the following benefits to a town and community:
- Encourages alternative, sustainable, greener travel
- Reduced travel costs and a reduction in car dependency
- Improvements in health and mental wellbeing
- Positive effects on NHS admissions
- An effective method of challenging obesity and other health issues
- Reduction in vehicle emissions leading to improved air quality
How does this link with other planned works in Burton?
We have a number of schemes at differing stages of development planned for Burton, these include:
- Upgrades to the Trent & Mersey Canal to improve connectivity between the new housing developments around Lawns Farm, Branston and Burton.
- B5018 Burton Road/Branston Road shared-use cycle route.
- A5121 Derby Street accessibility improvements between Borough Road and the A511 Horninglow Road.
- East Staffordshire Borough Council Town Deal Borough Road cycle scheme to extend the Station Street project to Burton Town Hall.
Who is carrying out the work?
The works will be delivered by Amey Transport Infrastructure as part of the Staffordshire County Council Infrastructure+ Contract.
When are the works taking place?
This is the current works programme (subject to change):
Phase 1: Commence Saturday 19th July 2025
Three weeks under full road closure. Combined working with third-party contractor undertaker utility upgrade works at the same location.
Phase 2: Commence Monday 11th August 2025
Three weeks under 4-way temporary traffic signals. Two-day full closure required for carriageway surfacing works and white lining, currently programmed for Sunday 31 August and Monday 1 September.
Will there be any nighttime or weekend working as part of the construction?
The normal working hours will be 07:30 – 16:30 Monday to Friday.
Works will also be taking place at reduced resource levels on Saturdays and Sundays if required.
Any works outside these hours will be notified to the key stakeholders. Surfacing will be carried out on Sunday during a full road closure.
Are bus services affected by the works
For information on bus services being affected by the works please visit the Changes to Bus services page
Will the works affect the Caribbean Carnival on 9th August?
Planned works as part of phase 1 should be completed and full road closure traffic management removed on 8 August 2025. There will however be traffic management on the footways in place.
What traffic management is required as part of the Caribbean Festival
Part of Shobnall Road will be closed between the hours of 10:30 to 12:30 on 9 August 2025.
Why is the diversion route so long?
The diversion route is approximately 20 miles, and any diversion needs to follow a similar category road or above i.e. B road classification.
How do I contact Staffordshire County Council if I have any further questions regarding the B5017 Shobnall Road scheme?
For further information please email us: intraprojects@staffordshire.gov.uk. When emailing please use ‘B5017 Shobnall Road PFE’ in the subject.