work to repair cracks in an old bridge used by rat-running traffic are starting earlier than planned.

Traffic lights have been put up at the bridge which carries Brookend Lane over Hatfield Brook in Kempsey, near Worcester, while engineers carry out a week of works.

The parish council and residents have reported the decline of the bridge’s appearance with increasing alarm since 2006.

It has been showing signs of wear and tear, with cracks in the stone parapet wall to either side and coping stones having fallen away.

Work was expected to start in the summer but after highways engineers carried out a recent inspection along with councillor Bob Bullock they have begun early.

“Works taking place are routine maintenance to replace historic cracking and a number of missing stones,” said Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council’s customer and community manager.

“Happily, we were able to start repairs sooner than initially planned due to a space opening up in the diary of one of our maintenance teams, who completed another job early.

John Michael, Kempsey Parish Council chairman, said he was glad the work was being done.

“The route is popular and is used as a rat run for traffic to avoid going through Clerkenleap towards Worcester,” he said.

“It is an issue that has been around for some time and we had been arguing it needed renovation work.”

The lights will restrict traffic on the bridge to one way.