ANGRY residents and businesses have slammed a decision to close most of a major road through their village to hold a 100-mile charity bike ride.

Fifteen thousand cyclists will take on the Vélo Birmingham on Sunday, September 24, along an entirely closed roads route, part of which will use the A4133 in Ombersley, near Worcester.

Several changes have been made to the route following objections from people in parts of Worcestershire over the impact it would have on roads and local businesses.

But people in Ombersley say the changes do little to help them and are calling for the route to be looked at again.

A meeting, attended by two dozen people, was held on Thursday, July 7 at The Kings Arms to discuss the latest route proposals.

Worcestershire County Council has now proposed to open 50 yards of the A4133 to allow visitors accessing the village to exit via the A449 towards Claines – but campaigners say this is unacceptable.

They believe this will mean visitors coming to the village from north Worcestershire would be forced to take lengthy detours and as such will avoid the area.

Instead, they would like the road to remain open but with cyclists able to use one side of the road and traffic management in place.

Another option they have suggested is to alter the route to go through Stourport instead.

Lee Ball, the owner of the King's Arms, in Ombersley, says that the proposals could cost him between £1,500 and £2,000 as he served more than 120 meals on the same weekend last year and argues many businesses would be forced to close.

"It is not acceptable," he said.

"We have been told how the race will be great for our business but it wouldn’t be good for us because they can’t get to us.

"If we had a system in place, with cars going at say 10 miles per hour on one side and bikes on the other that would work. You see that on some busier roads.

"What they are suggesting is not a solution. They have told people to park elsewhere but have not said where."

He added: "We believe Stourport want it – it is very easy take them through Stourport."

Jon Fraser, head of highways from Worcestershire County Council, said: "It was a meeting, people expressed concerns [ CSM (Active) will take that on board and there will be a follow up. There will be responses to the queries."