Work on the 70-year old Wolseley Canal Bridge on the A51 near Little Haywood, Staffordshire, will start on Monday 6 July and is scheduled to take 24 weeks to complete.

The scheme will include installation of a new bridge beam, re-waterproofing the bridge deck, repairing walls and resurfacing. 

To enable work to take place safely and as quickly as possible, two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place on the bridge for 20 weeks. A full closure of a 60-metre section of Bishton Lane from the A51 to Bellamour Lane, is also needed for 24-weeks. People will still be able to access properties on the closed section. Anyone wanting to access Bishton Lane can do so via the Bellamour Lane junction.

Towards the end of the scheme, some overnight closures of the A51 will be needed for resurfacing and the dates publicised closer to the time.

Patrick Allen (pictured), Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Support Member for Highways, said:

“The A51 is a busy route to the southeast of Stafford and so it’s vital that we maintain its structures to a high standard. While this scheme lasts for 24 weeks, the team is managing it with two-way signals, which we know will cause some disruption but keeps the road open to traffic. Only a short section of Bishton Lane will be closed and traffic can access Bellamour Lane via the main junction.

“We want people to know that they can easily access all businesses as usual and as ever we would urge people to support local traders wherever possible.”

The temporary traffic signals are scheduled to be in place until 20 November, with the Bishton Lane section closure in place until 18 December.

(Picture: Staffordshire County Council)