HEREFORDSHIRE Council says it has taken considerable measures to minimise disruption caused by the 14 week closure of the Bromyard Road, due to bridge repairs.

The road is one of the main routes north from Ledbury to Malvern and Worcester; but work to replace the deck of Storesbrook Bridge, situated on the B4214 between Staplow and Ledbury will start on Tuesday January 8, and the bridge is not set to re-open until Friday, April 5.

A council spokesman said: “Herefordshire Council, working in partnership with Balfour Beatty, has been working with local communities to minimise the impact of work.

“Letters have been sent to local residents and businesses to keep them updated and to provide diversion information, and arrangements have been made to ensure students can travel from Ledbury to Bosbury Primary School by bus.”

Signs giving details of the closure have been already been put in place at various locations, including at the Herefordshire Road and Bromyard Road junction in Ledbury.

The council says the work on the late Victorian bridge is much needed.

The council's spokesman said: “Storesbrook Bridge has experienced a steady decline in condition.

"It has now reached the end of its working life and needs to be replaced.

“Although the closure will cause inconvenience for several weeks, the new bridge will serve future generations for many decades to come.”