EVESHAM town centre faces weeks of traffic chaos when engineers apply a weight restriction to Abbey Bridge preventing buses and heavy lorries from crossing it.

The restriction to the bridge and viaduct will be applied at some point in the next two weeks while engineers carry out routine checks on the structures, according to Worcestershire County Council.

It is understood that some structural damage has already been spotted, but county council spokesman Lee Shrimpton said: "Engineers will be looking at the design of the bridge to see if the 1928 principles that governed its construction are still relevant in the 21st century.

"Our bridge engineers are concerned there may be some issues that need addressing but as checks are still going on it's not known at this stage what kind of work will be needed.

"Therefore it's not known how long such a weight restriction would be in place."

The restrictions are likely to add to the confusion caused by the closure of Oat Street, where Severn Trent is carrying out emergency works.

Traffic which would normally have turned off the High Street into Oat Street now has to continue past Merstow Green and over Abbey Bridge.

The road is due to remain closed until at least the end of this month.

Mr Shrimpton said: "We are currently looking at what kind of alternate routes would be needed for lorries making deliveries into the town, especially in the light of the current traffic situations in the town.

"We are also working closely with our Passenger Transport Group to see how bus routes would be affected.

"All of this work is still ongoing, but once it has been completed we'll let everyone know as comprehensively and as soon as possible."