THE prospect of Stourport being given a relief road or second bridge to ease the town's traffic problems has been virtually ruled out.

Residents, traders and councillors have backed both possible schemes for several years to help ease congestion in the town centre.

Paul Jameson, Worcestershire County Council's head of highways management, told town councillors at a meeting on Tuesday that both projects were "very unlikely" to happen because of a lack of funds.

He explained: "I would love nothing more than to build both a relief road and a second bridge but the budget we have will simply not stretch to anywhere the amount required.

"To build just the relief road is estimated to cost £47million. That would take up the budget available for the whole of Worcestershire for the next five years. That gives you an idea of what scale we are talking about.

"I can only do my best and that is what I promise to do but it would not be realistic at the moment to give the people of Stourport any false hope."

Essential repair work to Stourport's bridge is due to start in September.