New bridge to open up Branston Locks business and housing site

A road project which will pave the way to a multi-million pound business and housing development near Burton is taking a step forward with the construction of a new bridge.

The Branston Locks development will see 400 acres of land immediately west of the A38 developed with 2,500 new homes, a range of community facilities and a 50-acre employment site, which will be known as Quintus. It will also include retail, health, leisure and recreational facilities, as well as provision for older people. Separate developments on land nearby will see new primary and high schools built by Staffordshire County Council. The total investment in the area could be over £800million.

The county council is delivering a package of road and infrastructure works which will enable Nurton Developments (Quintus Ltd) to move on site to carry out the main project, together with residential developers.

Recently taken aerial photographs show the extent of the ground works already undertaken and the project team has now started to build a new bridge which will take traffic from the A38 over the Trent and Mersey Canal to the new development on a realigned Branston Road. The existing bridge will link up with Tatenhill Lane.

Work to realign the road and build new roundabouts is continuing. In order for the project to be carried out safely, Branston Road will be closed for five weeks from October 17 at a short section west of the canal bridge. A signed diversion route will be in place.

The road project is being funded through the Government’s Local Growth Deal, which was accessed by the county council and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Nurton Developments has also made a substantial contribution.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership chairman David Frost CBE said: “We are delighted to see such rapid progress on this scheme. It is an excellent example of how we are working together across the public and private sectors to create new jobs, sustained economic growth and flourishing local communities. Branston Locks is one of a whole series of exciting new developments taking place across our region illustrating that Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire is an increasingly attractive place for businesses to locate and grow, and a great place to live.”

Staffordshire County Council’s economy leader Mark Winnington said: “We are pleased to see progress on schedule at Branston Locks which will pave the way for the on site development and two new schools. In the coming months we will see the new canal bridge taking shape, roundabouts being build and the road realigned. Unfortunately road closures will be necessary so we’d like to thank people in advance for their patience. This project will lead to millions of pounds of additional investment, new jobs and new homes. It is another example of how the county council is working closely with developers and other partners to further increase Staffordshire’s economic growth and make it right for business and an attractive place to live and visit.”

The main road works will see Branston Road realigned in a northern direction over the new canal bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal, together with infrastructure to the business and housing development sites. The project will also improve pedestrian and cycle access to the future development and canal tow path. All works are expected to be completed by late summer 2017.

Nearby residents will receive updates about the scheme and traffic management. People can find out more by visiting: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/branstonlocks

The development is part of the wider plan by the county council and partners to create more and better jobs in Staffordshire by creating the conditions for growth – through investment in local skills and the infrastructure that is needed for future development.