MOTORISTS are facing a summer of disruption to their travel plans because a well-used road near Worcester is set to close for 10 weeks.

Severn Trent Water has been successful in asking for permission to close the A4133 Holt Fleet Road while a contractor carries out essential water main reneweal works.

The £4.3 million project, due to start near the end of June, will affect about 12.4 miles of road in the area.

The road will be closed for about 500 metres from the bridge in the direction of Ombersley roundabout.

People will still be able to get access to their properties and businesses, while bus services which use the road will carry on as normal.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire County Council has imposed an emergency weight restriction on the 200-year-old Holt Fleet Bridge while works are carried out to rectify structural problems.

It is the second summer motorists have had to put up with disruption on roads on the outskirts of Worcester after the Powick Bridge was closed for six weeks for major engineering works last year.

Gill Dickinson, Severn Trent Water spokesman, said the Holt Fleet Road - one of the key routes for people travelling from the north of the county wanting to get onto the west side of Worcester - should be closed from Monday, June 22, although that has yet to be made formal.

“We have got permission to close the Holt Fleet Road for 10 weeks,” she said. “It has been approved as the most safe and efficient way to get the work done as quickly as possible.

“If there is any way we can make it shorter then our contractors Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions will endeavour to do so.

“We obviously thank people in anticipation of the closure for their co-operation at what will be a difficult time.”

Meanwhile, temporary traffic lights were put on the A4133 at the Holt Fleet Bridge yesterday (Fri).

The structural integrity of the bridge has been monitored closely over the last few months and, following a recent close visual inspection and further computer modelling, the county council decided to impose a 7.5 tonne weight restriction from Monday (27).

The temporary traffic lights will be removed once signs are put in place warning motorists about the restriction which could be in place for 18 months while works are undertaken to rectify the structural problems.

Councillor Derek Prodger, cabinet member for the environment, said: “The bridge is a very complex cast iron structure and is nearly 200-years-old. The essential repairs will be equally complex and it is anticipated that the restriction will remain in place for up to 18 months when, following the works the restriction will be reviewed.

"We totally appreciate that this will cause some inconvenience but these safety repairs are essential."