TRAFFIC chaos is coming to Worcester with a key bridge set to close for up to three months.

Teme Bridge which is used by 20,000 cars daily, will close for surface improvements in the summer.

A plan is being drawn up to re-route cars around it during the work, expected to start by July.

The length of the bridge closure has been described as "a bombshell" by senior figures at County Hall, who are concerned that the work - which has been ordered after an inspection by the Highways Authority - will damage the local economy.

Commuters also have voiced concern over what it will mean for the journey to work while the improvements take place.

Michael Stallard, aged 38, of Hanbury Road, St John's, Worcester, said: "I use that route all the time to get to work and it will cause me all sorts of problems - it will lead to traffic chaos.

"To be honest, the whole of that side of Worcester will be gridlocked if the bridge is closed."

Inspection work, lasting two weeks, has just finished at the site. The planned repairs will see new waterproofing and resurfacing on the deck of the bridge.

County council bosses have known the work was needed for some time, but the expected timespan has come as a shock.

It has led to calls for work to start and be finished in the six-week summer holidays by getting contractors to work around the clock.

The repairs have been described as vital work that cannot be put off for ever.

Coun Tom Wells said: "There are serious structural defects to the bridge and the proposal is that it will close for three months.

"It has come as a bombshell and I'm not happy with the timescale. I'm pressurising for work to be done in the summer holidays around the clock, at night and on weekends, to get it done quicker.

"The effect on the local economy will be significant and to have it closed for three months is ridiculous.

"Clearly, the bridge is sufficiently robust to carry on being used for a few more months until the summer, when everyone knows traffic will be significantly lower - kids will be off school and many people will be on holiday."

The bridge, south of St John's near Powick roundabout, is used by thousands of cars to get to Worcester city centre and access the M5 to Birmingham.

John Seddon, transport policy and strategy manager at the council, said: "We have had a number of inspections over the last couple of years at Teme bridge, and need to make sure work is done to tackle its deteriorating condition.

"We are drawing up a traffic management plan on the exact details of it, but it will be difficult to keep a single track open for cars while the work takes place."

The bridge is a grade II listed structure and was orginally built in 1837.