Major roadworks are set to begin on the A51 near Little Haywood in Stafford from Monday 6 July. The Wolseley Canal Bridge will undergo a significant 24-week refurbishment scheme to address maintenance issues on the 70-year-old structure, which was built in 1955 and carries thousands of vehicles daily to southeast Stafford.
The scheme will involve installing a new bridge beam, waterproofing the bridge deck, repairing walls and resurfacing the road surface. Two-way temporary traffic lights will control traffic on the bridge for 20 weeks, keeping the A51 open throughout the works. However, drivers should prepare for delays during this period. A 60-metre section of Bishton Lane will close completely for the full 24 weeks, though residents can still access properties via Bellamour Lane junction.
Towards the end of the refurbishment scheme, some overnight closures of the A51 will take place to complete final resurfacing work. Staffordshire County Council has stated that the disruption is necessary to maintain the route's infrastructure and ensure the bridge remains safe for the volume of traffic it carries.
The temporary traffic signals will be removed on 20 November, with Bishton Lane expected to reopen by 18 December. Local residents and commuters using the A51 should plan ahead for the extended roadworks and allow extra time for journeys through Stafford during this period.