SIGNIFICANT disruption has been caused to Vale drivers after a road was closed following damage to a bridge.

The closure, which has been ongoing for more than a week has shut down the B4084 between Pershore and Worcester near Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station after a vehicle damaged the bridge.

Work to repair the bridge was originally expected to finish on August 18, however this deadline has already been extended to August 21.

Since the "arterial route" for residents of Pershore and the surrounding villages closed, it has caused significant disruption and long delays, leaving councillors dreading how much longer the work is set to take.

Charles Tucker, Wychavon District Council councillor for Pershore, said: "It's a major route between Pershore and Worcester and it's not unfair to call it a major artery for the town. 

"It's the route I follow to get to Worcester and it's having a major impact on the town and villages like Drakes Broughton. 

"Knowing how well the road is used and how important it is for getting to the parkway, I'm sure it's also having an affect on the usability of rail services as well. 

"From what I understand, the repair should be finished within a matter of days but these types of things do tend to drag on and it would be dreadful if work was to continue beyond that point."

It is understood that the damage caused to the bridge on August 12 was caused by a lorry but it is yet to be confirmed officially.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "The repair work carried out on the bridge was due to a vehicle strike. 

"The structure was made safe at the time of the incursion, as the safety of the general public is paramount to Network Rail.

"The work is set to be complete within the time period of the road closure, with the re-casing of the missing brickwork and removal of vegetation."

The spokesperson has since confirmed that the bridge was in a poorer state than they first thought, resulting in extra work and an extension to the deadline.

Julian Palfrey, chairman of Vale Bus and Rail, and a resident of Pershore, said: "The closure of the B4084 is causing significant disruption for motorists travelling to and from Pershore with long diversions.

"Train services are operating from Worcestershire Parkway station but access to the station is made much more difficult and time-consuming due to the road closure and the disruption. caused.

"In addition, major road works and traffic lights in locations in and around Pershore town centre are adding to the traffic queues."