Branston Locks progress ahead of schedule as road reopens

A road which is being improved to pave the way to a multi-million pound business and housing development near Burton has reopened ahead of schedule following the completion of a new roundabout.

Branston Road is being realigned and improved as part of the Branston Locks development which will see 400 acres of land immediately west of the A38 developed. It will include 2,500 new homes, a range of community facilities and a 50-acre employment site, which will be known as Quintus. There will also be 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.

On Friday November 18 Branston Road was reopened ahead of schedule after a new mini roundabout was built. Traffic signals on the bridge are in place so that HGVs can access the construction site from the A38. The next phase of the project will see the installation of the bridge beams on the new structure across the canal in mid-December. It will be known as Nurton Bridge and has already won an award for its engineering design. Nurton Bridge 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.

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.

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.

Staffordshire County Council’s economy leader Mark Winnington said: “We’re seeing good progress at Branston Locks and it has been pleasing to see this part of the project completed ahead of schedule. We’d like to thank people for their patience while this section of the road was closed. Now we’re looking forward to seeing the bridge beams put in place next month. This is a big project for Burton and 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.”

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.”

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