Tenbury's Teme Bridge repair time slashed

Tenbury's Teme Bridge will now only be closed for up to 10 weeks for major £1 million repairs – to the relief of traders and residents who feared it could bring the town to a standstill for months.

The news was announced at a public briefing last night as part of a raft of new proposals designed to keep the town running during the closure.

It had been feared the bridge would be closed to traffic for up to six months from January 9 while stonework and parapets were repaired.

But project managers at Worcestershire County Council said it was hoped work could be completed before the projected March 16 date.

Chris Dell, of Tenbury Tourism Group, warned that some businesses had already ended their leases, fearing the impact of a long-term bridge closure. The bridge is the main route into the town centre from Shropshire and the north.

Mr Dell said: "It is great news for the town and there were sighs of relief when it was announced the bridge closure would be for half the length of time stated at the previous public meeting.

"But there are already a number of shopkeepers in the town who have not renewed their leases because of what they believed they were facing."

Phil Grove, leader of Mal-vern Hills District Council and ward member for Tenbury, said: "We are delighted the bridge will be closed for less time. We had been looking at months but we've now been told the bridge will be closed for a maximum of 10 weeks with an opportunity for it to be less than that."

Other changes announced at the meeting at Tenbury High School included providing up to 50 spaces on a temporary car park on the north side of the bridge, and turning the former cattle market site into a free car park and turning area for lorries during the works.

Charges on the town's only pay-and-display car park off Teme Street will also be reduced to 10p for up to two hours while repairs to the bridge are carried out.

Last week it was announced a £50,000 fighting fund had been unlocked by county and district council officials to help businesses cope during the bridge closure.

By Peter Kitchen