Bridge is to be closed for three weeks
STRUCTURE IN WALTON IS HAVING MAINTENANCE WORK DONE
A BUSY bridge linking Staffordshire and Derbyshire is set to be closed for three weeks while work is carried out.
The Bailey Bridge, in Walton, is set to be shut from Monday until Sunday, February 21.
The work will include cutting back vegetation, resurfacing the bridge and roads leading to it, replacing and repainting damaged barriers and tightening of the bolts.
Although the work will be carried out on the bridge, the road will be closed from the junction with Main Street in Walton to the roundabout with the B5016 at the Barton under Needwood end.
People living in Station Lane will still have access to their properties.
Pedestrians will also still be able to use the bridge, but are told there may be a short delay to their crossing if machinery is operating.
The work is being carried out by Derbyshire County Council.
A spokesman said: “Access will be maintained, whenever reasonably possible, on the affected length of road. The road will re-open as soon as the work is finished.
“This may be earlier than advertised. Derbyshire County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused while work takes place.”
A diversion route will be in place for the duration of the work.
This will see drivers asked to continue along Main Street, Walton, and head south-west towards Riverside.
They will then turn right onto the A513 and, at the roundabout, take the second exit onto the Rykneld Street slip road to Alrewas, Burton, the A38 and Wychnor.
Drivers are then told to merge on to Rykneld Street and continue on to Burton Road before taking the slip road on the right onto the A38.
They will take the exit towards Barton under Needwood, B5016 and Walton and, at the roundabout, take the first exit on to Station Road.
At the next roundabout, they are asked to take the second exit onto Station Lane. The reverse route applies for those heading the other way.
It could be the last ever closure for maintenance of the present bridge. Earlier this month the Mail reported developers Countryside Properties saying it was proposing to start construction of a new bridge and Walton bypass road in April as part of the 2,000-home Drakelow Park scheme, which is under construction.
The present temporary structure has been in place since the 1940s.