MOTORISTS have lashed out at Worcestershire traffic chiefs' claims that a bridge closure, which started yesterday morning, had little impact on commuters driving into the city.

Rush-hour traffic was snarled up at various hotspots in and around Worcester - including the Powick roundabout, the St John's area of the city and Hylton Road - as Holt Fleet Bridge closed yesterday.

But Jon Fraser, network control manager for Worcestershire County Council's highways department, said yesterday that traffic flows were not unusual.

However, angry motorists stuck in the jams have since contacted the Evening News incensed at his comments.

Lynda Carson, from Whitbourne, said she was furious after getting stuck in traffic in St John's in Worcester for almost an hour.

"It was horrendous - I just sat there and watched the traffic lights at St John's go red, green, red, green.

"It was absolutely awful, I couldn't do anything about it and I was so cross by the time I got into work this morning.

"Certainly the people who have businesses are going to lose money."

Another motorist, who wished to remain anonymous, said it took him 40 minutes to get from Worcester's St John's on to the M5.

"No significant delays? What a load of rubbish - there was a huge traffic jam around the Powick roundabout," he said.

But Mr Fraser said that while he had seen it was a "bit congested" down Hylton Road, he thought it was "not too bad."

"We've not had any complaints to the office and we're keeping an eye on it.

"I think it might settle down over the next few days - obviously it's generally going to be a bit more congested but I don't think it was too bad."

The bridge repair works - which will cost about £420,000 - are expected to take three weeks and include waterproofing the structure and repairing the carriageway.