PEOPLE living in a set of houses along a main Worcester road have had to move out of their homes while structural problems are fixed.

Residents living in the three four-storey houses at Hollands Meadow on Henwick Road moved out three weeks ago after "structural problems" were discovered with the parking deck at the front of the houses.

Work on the houses, which are built in to the riverside, is expected to last for six months.

Richard Griffiths, contract manager with George Law Ltd — the company carrying out the work — said that everything possible is being done to minimise disruption to traffic along the busy road.

"The parking area in front of the houses is being demolished. There have been some structural problems with the parking deck but there are no structural problems with the houses themselves. The residents have all moved out while work is taking place so we can work quickly and safely," he said.

"We don't know how the problems came to light, but we have been employed by a structural engineer after someone inspected the properties and discovered the issue.

"It is not a common problem. We have closed off the footpath outside the properties while we work and we've put a temporary crossing in place for six months. We couldn't just shut the road as it is so busy."

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "Temporary pedestrian crossing lights have been installed in Henwick Road, at the junction with Himbleton Road, as a stretch of the footway has been closed there for structural repairs to be carried out to a concrete parking area outside properties by the riverside. Temporary traffic signals have also been put in place but will only be in operation during deliveries of building materials associated with the work.

"This is a major scheme and traffic controls could remain there until late August."