Staffordshire County Council in the UK is making significant improvements to a key gateway junction, with the project expected to be finalised in April this year.

The enhancements are designed to alleviate congestion and increase capacity at the A38 junction, including the addition of extra lanes and new traffic signals.

The scheme involves the introduction of these additional lanes around the junction, on the slip roads, and on Branston Road and Parkway.

Furthermore, the installation of new traffic signals is set to optimise the flow of vehicles.

To facilitate the final stages of the project, there will be a series of overnight closures scheduled from 3 March to 4 April, affecting the roundabout at Branston Road and a section of Parkway.

These closures, intended for resurfacing works, will occur from Monday to Friday, between 8pm and 6am.

During these times, traffic diversions will be put in place via the Barton Turns junction and Claymills junction, utilising the A5121's Derby Road for A38 traffic.

By the end of April, all traffic management associated with the project is expected to be removed, and the new traffic signals will become operational.

The upgrade is funded via a £6m ($7.5m) allocation from UK government funding and a substantial contribution from Nurton Developments, the primary developer of the Branston Locks site.

The improvements not only aim to enhance the current traffic situation but also provide essential transport infrastructure for the ongoing residential and employment developments at Branston Locks, aiding the future economic growth of Burton.

Staffordshire County Council cabinet member for strategic highways Mark Deaville said: “This project is delivering significant improvements to what is a busy junction and one of the main transport gateways to Burton. We’re now looking forward to its imminent completion.

“Not only will it improve traffic flow around the junction but support Burton and Staffordshire’s economic growth.

“We understand there will be some disruption while any traffic management is in place for which we’d like to apologise for, but it is necessary to enable us to move forward in bringing future growth and prosperity to Burton and Staffordshire.”

The UK government recently approved the ‘long-delayed’ A47/A11 Thickthorn junction scheme near Norwich, with an investment exceeding £200m.