Posted on Wednesday 13th April 2022
Work to improve cycling and pedestrian routes in Stapenhill, Burton, is set to begin on Monday April 25.
The scheme on the A444 Stanton Road aims to provide a safe cycling link between Burton town centre and Swadlincote as part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 63.
It is funded by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Paths for Everyone, an initiative by cycling charity Sustrans.
It includes creation of both segregated and shared footway/cycleway sections along Stanton Road and installation of new signs, new parking restrictions to increase cyclists’ visibility and road markings around traffic calming measures to guide cyclists at various locations in Stapenhill. A raised cycle priority crossing will be created on Saxon Street.
Additional measures will be installed on Saxon Street to make it safer for cyclists. A 20mph zone will be introduced on Saxon Street and Saxon Close. This junction will be permanently closed to vehicles off Stanton Road, becoming an exit-only route off Saxon Street. The remaining stretch of Saxon Street will remain a two-way carriageway.
The scheme will take approximately 15 weeks to complete, with most work taking place under temporary multi-way or two-way traffic lights. A road closure on Saxon Street will be needed with a diversion in place. The temporary multi-way signals on the A444 will be manually controlled between 7am and 6pm on weekdays to better manage traffic, especially around school times. There will be access for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the scheme.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport David Williams said:
We want to encourage more people to cycle as a greener and healthier alternative transport option. This is a comprehensive scheme to create safer routes for cyclists in Burton.
It will see new cycleways, crossings, signs and a lowered speed limit on Saxon Street which will all improve safety. We’re grateful to both the LEP and Sustrans for funding the scheme and look forward to its completion.
We understand there will be some disruption to traffic while work is carried out and would like to thank people in advance for their patience during his period.”