A PROPOSED new bridge for Worcester would have eased the congestion that left commuters and Christmas shoppers gridlocked, according to the county's roads boss.
An accident on the A4440 at 4.15pm on Wednesday saw the road closed from the Powick roundabout to the Carrington Bridge, near the Ketch roundabout, just outside Worcester.
Thousands of motorists were affected as the road remained closed for about two hours, forcing many drivers to travel through the city centre and causing lengthy tailbacks.
Paul Jameson, head of highways management at Worcestershire County Council, said a new bridge - to be discussed under the council's latest transport plan - would have helped.
"The transport plan is very much looking at ideas and still at the listening stage," he said.
"Clearly, the more river crossings we have the less severe that will be."
Congestion charges and a northern bypass are also being considered in the transport plan, but no money will be available for any work until 2011 at the earliest.
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