Henhurst Hill set to reopen as junction work passes halfway point

Anyone who has been navigating the diversions around Henhurst Hill in recent weeks can finally see some light at the end of the road closure – quite literally, given that four sets of traffic lights are on their way.

Work on the new junction at Henhurst Hill, Postern Road and Hopley Road has now passed the halfway point, with Staffordshire County Council confirming that the full road closure will be lifted from Friday 9 October.

Temporary traffic lights will take its place, allowing vehicles to travel through the junction while crews finish the remaining work.

The council is spending £500,000 installing a new four-way signalled junction, designed to improve road safety and manage traffic through this busy part of Burton.

During the past month, crews have carried out road repairs and begun remodelling the bus stop. The changes will alter where buses enter the stop while also creating parking spaces for nearby residents.

New speed limit signs have also gone up. The 30mph limit along Henhurst Hill is being extended, with a 40mph buffer zone intended to slow vehicles down as they approach the lower limit.

The lengthy closure has certainly been noticeable for drivers using this side of town, but the council says it has used the opportunity to bring forward pothole repairs that had originally been scheduled for next year. Doing them now means another closure should not be needed for that work later.

Reopening the road to traffic will also come at a useful time, with the annual Screamfest taking place at National Forest Adventure Farm during October. The temporary lights should help keep traffic moving through the area during the popular Halloween event.

The whole junction scheme is expected to be finished in around another month.

Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said:

“I’m pleased to see good progress being made with the Henhurst Hill scheme, which was planned in response to local concerns about speeding and road safety.

“We know the road closure has caused some disruption, so it’s good news that we can now reopen the road to traffic while the rest of the work is completed.

“We’ve also made the most of the closure by bringing forward pothole repairs that were due to take place next year. This is exactly what our Roadmap to a Better Network plan is all about: tackling different issues at the same time to reduce disruption and make our roads better for the long term.”

New HGV restrictions now in force

There has also been another change on roads around Burton, with a new 7.5-tonne weight restriction now in force along the B5017.

The restriction runs from the bottom of Shobnall Road at the Parkway roundabout through to Six Roads End and its junction with the A515 Draycott Cliff.

It also applies to the B5234 Newborough Road, from Fiveways Roundabout at Needwood to its junction with the A515.

The council says the restrictions were introduced following concerns from residents about noise from HGVs travelling through the area, particularly at night.

Signs informing lorry drivers of the new restrictions have now been installed, with enforcement the responsibility of Staffordshire Police.

HGV drivers can continue to access Burton using the A38, A511 and A515.

For most local drivers, though, the more immediate news will be the return of traffic to Henhurst Hill on Friday. There will still be temporary lights and workmen to contend with for a little while longer, but after several weeks of a complete closure, being able to get through at all should make getting around this corner of Burton considerably easier.