MAJOR structural damage caused by a utility company has been discovered at the entrance to a Worcester park, says a councillor.

Councillor Alan Amos said engineers discovered the damage at the entrance to Pitmaston Park, in St John's, after it became severely flooded on Tuesday.

The park's gate is being used as the sole entrance for pupils attending nearby Pitmaston Primary School as well as for visitors and dog walkers that use the park.

The councillor praised the work of County Highways for dealing with the flooding.

Cllr Amos, County Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport, said: "Highways attended the site and sorted the problem within hours of my contacting them.

"A jetter attended immediately to ensure the children could get to school safely. So well done.

"I have instructed that the structural work be done as a matter of priority, most likely in the summer holidays to minimize disruption, or even possibly the Easter holidays.

"However, until we look inside the system, we won’t know the extent of the damage or how long it will take to do, but it will be significant and could last for weeks, and will definitely include a closure of Malvern Road at that point.

Worcester News: Flooding at the entrance to Pitmaston Park. Picture Credit: Cllr Alan Amos.Flooding at the entrance to Pitmaston Park. Picture Credit: Cllr Alan Amos.

"Given the current weather situation, I fear that more flooding can be expected in the months ahead and it will simply not be possible for such a speedy response to be given every time access to the Park and school is blocked.

"So Highways today contacted the school advising them to make alternative access provisions such as re-opening the Winchester Avenue entrance as the best solution.”

The Met Office has issued the highest level of alert for Storm Eunice, warning there could be a “danger to life” as a result of extremely strong winds.

Read More: Red weather alert warns of ‘danger to life’ from Storm Eunice

The red weather warning, meaning a high impact is very likely, covers the coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as the south coast of Wales and will be in effect from 7am until 12pm on Friday.

It warns of “flying debris resulting in danger to life” and “damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines, brought down”.

Worcestershire County Council said they were unable to respond to questions about which utility firm caused the damage and how the repair work would be funded.

Pitmaston Primary School declined to comment.