Posted on Friday 10th January 2025
Work on a solution that will allow Branston Bridge to reopen to normal traffic is progressing well, with engineers aiming to start work on-site later this month.
Subject to final designs gaining the necessary permissions from Network Rail, works could start in a matter of weeks and are anticipated to last around three months.
In the meantime, workers will be on site from next week (w/c 13 January) to prepare the bridge for the forthcoming works, which will mean moving concrete blocks, marking out utilities, digging trial holes and reconfiguring the traffic management to turn it into a safe working area.
A public exhibition of the works is currently being scheduled, where local residents will have the opportunity to view plans and speak to engineers about the works.
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways Mark Deaville said:
“Our engineers have been working incredibly hard to find a solution that will allow vehicles to cross the bridge once more without any weight or width restrictions. However, a project as complex as this means we need to take time to formulate the right solution, sequence the works, and gain the necessary permissions for the work to take place.
“We are currently finalising the solution with an aim to start work in the next couple of weeks. From next week, local people will see increased activity on the bridge as our engineers ensure the site is ready for work to start.
“We are also aware of a lot of local interest in this issue, which is why we are looking to put on a public exhibition in the near future where people can learn about the issue, see the designs for the interim solution, and speak to our engineers.”
More information about the works and the public exhibition will be detailed in due course. In the meantime, people can sign up to the East Staffordshire Highways Newsletter for the latest updates, at www.staffordshire.gov.uk.