Concern Tenbury Wells will be cut off by work

Tenbury Wells could become an "island" cut off from surrounding towns if the area suffers a harsh winter while the historic Teme Bridge is closed for £1.5 million repairs, it has been claimed.

Chris Dell, of Tenbury Tourism Group, said the scenario could become reality and needed to be considered by Worcestershire County Council officials before the bridge linking the town to Shropshire and the Wyre Forest closes on January 9.

He asked officials at a meeting at Tenbury High School last night whether helicopters would be used to help bring in supplies if Tenbury was not accessible by road during the works, which are expected to take at least four months.

Peter Blake, Worcestershire County Council's head of integrated transport, told the meeting the bridge would be reopened in the event of such an emergency.

And Chris Churchill, community fire manager for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, pledged the fire brigade's response times in the area would not be affected by the bridge closure.