BUSINESSES in a village near Worcester fear they will lose trade when an historic bridge closes for repairs - cutting them off from some customers.

The Holt Fleet Bridge, which is a major commuter route over the River Severn, will be closed to through-traffic for three weeks in March so that waterproofing work can be carried out.

The road will be closed from the A449 island in Ombersley, right through to Holt Fleet, which means some drivers will be forced to take long detours to reach the village.

Pedestrians will be able to walk across the bridge, but the decision by Worcestershire County Council to close it for through traffic has been described as "catastrophic" by traders.

Kally Sekhon, proprietor of the Spar shop in the village, said she was angry that the council would not be paying out any compensation for lost trade.

"We are out here in the sticks and rely on passing trade for business," she said.

"No one is going to walk across the bridge in the cold of March.

"Delivery drivers have also said that they will only make deliveries every few days, which is going to affect the freshness of our produce."

Alan Law, owner of the Holt Fleet Restaurant, said he was concerned that he was going to have very little trade at all during the roadworks.

"From things that we have heard and read it is going to be bad, especially on weekends and Mother's Day on Sunday March 21, which is our busiest day of the year," he said.

"We are going to lose a lot of money."

Jim Parker, who owns the Wharf Inn, its adjoining caravan park and two fishing lakes, said the fact that there would be some access to the village was of little consolation.

"They will put up signs to say that we are open," said Mr Parker.

"But we will lose trade because people from across the river can't get to us.

"At the end of the day it is a job that has to be done."

But the council says the work is needed and will tie in with the urgent reconstruction of roads in Ombersley and Holt Heath, to minimise disruption.

Other options

Coun Alwyn Davies, member for Holt Heath and cabinet member for environment sustainability added: "The bridge is not wide enough to carry out repairs on a partial closure basis."

He said all other options had been explored but the council had no choice, and apologised for any disruption.