Posted on Friday 27th September 2024
Work to build a roundabout allowing access to Staffordshire’s first ever all-through school has begun.
Staffordshire County Council’s highways crews will be installing a new 3-arm roundabout on the A51 into the site of the former Rugeley Power Station, which is being transformed into a new development area.
Part of this development will include the county’s first all-through school, which will grow to serve both primary and secondary pupils.
The multi-million pound works will see a roundabout installed northwest of the existing roundabout, which provides access to Priory Avenue.
Added to this, the existing paths and cycleways will be extended, and a signalised toucan crossing will be installed on the A51. New drainage and street lighting will also be installed as part of the scheme.
The land is owned by Rugeley Power Limited. The new school is currently being built by the Department for Education, and will be operated by the John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust.
Highways works started today despite the inclement weather, and will take around 10 months to complete. For the safety of crews and due to the extensive nature of the works, the A51 will be restricted to one lane, running in a northerly direction, from the roundabout at the junction of Wheelhouse Road to the roundabout at the junction of Power Station Road.
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways Mark Deaville said:
“These works are incredibly important to service the new development, and to ensure there is suitable access to the new school when it opens. Because of the extensive nature of these works, the only way we can ensure the safety of our crews is to reduce a small section of the A51 to one-way. This allows our crews to work safely, and ensure that we can complete these works within 10 months.
“We know they will cause some disruption, and I want to thank everyone for their patience while these essential works are carried out.”
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Jonathan Price said:
“This school is essential to ensure there is sufficient primary and secondary provision for pupils in the local area. Alongside this, we also need to ensure that there is the correct infrastructure in place to service the school and the coming developments on the site. I’m pleased to see the school taking shape on site, and these infrastructure works will be an important step in its development."
Diversions will be clearly signed. For more information on the works, please visit the Staffordshire County Council website.