PARKING restrictions are being strictly enforced in Stourport High Street in the wake of traffic chaos being caused by repairs to a bridge further down the River Severn.

A knock-on effect has been caused by the closure of Holt Fleet Bridge, near Ombersley, as motorists are diverted through Stourport.

Motorists have been queuing for up to half an hour to get over the town bridge as the traffic has tailed back up Dunley Road to Astley Cross in the morning rush hour. Delays in other directions were also reported by police.

Councillor Albert Adams, who lives in Areley Kings, said traffic had also been backing up along Areley Common from the junction with Dunley Road.

PC Julian Turner, Wyre Forest traffic manager, said police officers and traffic wardens were constantly monitoring illegal parking in the High Street to enable traffic to keep flowing as freely as possible. No waiting cones to reinforce the parking restrictions had also been used, he said.

PC Turner added: "People generally have taken heed and we have had very few congestion problems caused by illegal parking. The main problem has been the volume of traffic."

Councillor Adams praised the police operation but said: "If the parking restrictions could be enforced like this during the rush hour all the time it would do a lot to ease congestion in the town."

PC Turner urged motorists to start journeys early, stagger journeys, use diversionary routes and be patient.

The work to the Holt Fleet bridge was essential and would take another two weeks to complete, he said.

He added that police motorcyclists were constantly monitoring the traffic situation in Stourport and standing by to act as vehicle escorts for the emergency services he added.