A SCHEME to reduce congestion in Upton-upon-Severn will require temporary road closures next week.

The new four-arm roundabout, being constructed by Worcestershire County Council, will begin to see traffic using it in part from Tuesday, June 21.

The major scheme to reduce congestion at the A38/A4104 junction near Upton-upon-Severn.

Vehicles will be transferred onto part of the new road alignment from 6am, following the overnight works needed to switch traffic over to the newly constructed carriageways.

The switch over of traffic along the new alignment will require a temporary road closure to all routes, which starts at 7pm on Monday, June 20.

The A4104 will be closed from its junction with the B4211, Upton, to its junction with the B4084, Pershore. The A38 will also be closed at its junction with the A438, to its junction with the A4440, Ketch Roundabout.

The scheme is set to replace the current staggered crossroad junction.

Cllr Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for economy, infrastructure and skills, said: “This is a big milestone moment in this scheme to reduce congestion within the Upton area.

“Works have progressed really well and it’s great that we’re now in a position to switch the traffic over to travel along the routes of the new approaches and roundabout.

“It’s important to note, that there are still a lot of works taking place on this project, so various traffic management measures will be required until the completion of the works later this year.”

Once traffic is switched over to the new alignment, temporary traffic management including traffic signals will still be in place, to allow the remaining works to be undertaken safely.

A diversion route is said to be clearly signposted during the closure.

The new roundabout is scheduled to be fully operational this Autumn.

READ MORE: New roundabout at Upton Upon Severn to be finished soon

Concerns were first raised about the high levels of traffic on the busy junction by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin in 2015 and several tests were eventually carried out by the council in 2018.

More information about the scheme can be found on the County Council website at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/uptonimprovements