PEOPLE living in a hamlet near Worcester say they have been "cut off" by a road closure.

Dilmore Lane, in Fernhill Heath, is shut for three months while developer Taylor Wimpey builds 120 new homes.

But people living in Lower Town, Claines, say the road closure means they and others living in Porter's Mill, must take a detour along tiny country lanes to get in and out of their homes.

They feel the situation is dangerous because the detour is along roads, including Kennels Lane and Jacob's Ladder, which are narrow, in bad condition and with weak bridges that are unsuitable for the increased traffic.

Among those suffering is Joan Jackson, who travels to Droitwich twice-a-day to help look after her 95-year-old father.

She has had to reduce her visits since the road closure came into force in January because she is fearful about driving along the narrow lanes after dark.

Mrs Jackson said: "I feel it's too dangerous and my father doesn't want me to risk my safety.

"My father is worried about me getting to him and I'm worried about leaving him on his own which I don't want to do.

"The road is a narrow track, there are potholes, some of the roads have water across them.

"I'm 63 and I don't feel very happy about reversing for long periods of road in search of some muddy passing place."

Neighbour Catharine Jones said: "It's a very dangerous situation. We will be very lucky if nobody has a nasty accident.

"People are afraid to get out. These are little lanes that were originally used by millers and their carts to get to the mill.

"They are not suitable for a hamlet with more than 30 houses for people trying to get to work or take children to school every day."

Jonathan Leach, also from Lower Town, said: "We are told the road is closed but they are using the road to access the site, allowing their own workers down there.

"They haven't taken us into account and the communication has been woeful. The first we knew was when we saw signs saying road closed for three months.

"I understand Taylor Wimpey want to do this in the cheapest, easiest way but it's for the council not to have allowed this."

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said the council has already sent a team to remove excess water from the road and will be making repairs to the detour roads today (Wednesday).

She added: "We are very sympathetic to residents and we are doing what we can to help them in terms of making the alternative route as safe as possible.

"We are willing to listen to any other suggestions they have."

She said the council had advertised the road closure as normal.