MOTORISTS are set for a summer of misery as major roadworks close important roads into Worcester City centre.

Friar Street and Sidbury will be closed to traffic and the outbound carriageway of College Street will be reduced to one lane.

It comes at a time when organisers of summer events such as the Three Choirs Festival are hoping as many tourists as possible come into the city.

Traders said they were disgusted by the road closures because business would be adversely affected.

The work, which comes just a month after Worcester High Street renovations came to an end, is due to start on Monday, June 27, and last for 10 weeks.

Alan and Hazel Dugmore, of The Pen Connection, in Friar Street, said it would 'kill business'.

"The last time they dug the road up we didn't get anybody in the shop all day," said Mr Dugmore.

"This is our livelihood. If people see the mess in the street, they're not going to come in here," added Mrs Dugmore.

David Birtwhistle, of Birties of Worcester, in Friar Street, said he was also annoyed.

"The sole communication we and others have received from Transco is a letter announcing the commencement.

"Our annoyance with Transco is increased by our recollections of the recent misery we endured with the road for more than a year while we all waited for the cinema to be completed.

"Presumably all that work, including the nice York stone pavings, will now be destroyed."

But John Smith, of TJM Outfitters in Sidbury, was more resigned.

"It's just another nail in the coffin, isn't it?" he said.

"It won't help us, but who are we to question their wisdom?"

Paul Vaughan, the chairman of the Three Choirs Festival, which takes place in Worcester from Wednesday, July 6, said the timing of the work was 'a disgrace'.

"We've being doing our utmost to pull people in from Birmingham. They'll come off at Junction 7, get a quarter of a mile down the hill, stop and turn round.

"Why choose this time to do it? In the words of Victor Meldrew, 'I don't believe it!'"

WHAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN

The work will involve removing the old metal mains and replacing them with new plastic pipe.

Colin Rees, the project manager at gas pipeline company Transco said the work was expected to take 10 weeks to complete and the new pipe was very durable and required little or no maintenance.

"Once in the ground, it should last for around 80 years," he said.

Mr Comerford said the council had met with Transco to discuss diversionary routes.

Temporary traffic lights will be set up at the junctions of Bath Road and Commandery Road and Bath Road and London Road to be diverted around Sidbury.

The "no right turn" from London Road into Wyld's Lane will be suspended while the work takes place.

TRANSCO TALKS TO TRADERS

JANE Taylor, spokeswoman for gas pipeline company Transco, said discussions with businesses affected by the work had been going on for a week.

"All affected traders have been sent letters to explain what we're doing and we're finding out what special arrangements need to be put in place for deliveries.

Ms Taylor said the timing of the work had been reached in consultation with the city and county councils.

"We realise it will cause some inconvenience to motorists but ask them to bear with us," she said.

Tom Comerford, head of traffic management at Worcester City Council, said the objective was to keep disruption to a minimum.

"It's a difficult time of year but there are events going on all year, from the Christmas Fayre to the Race For Life, so it's difficult to avoid everything."