Main route into Tenbury Wells closed for bridge repairs

The Teme Bridge, the main route into Tenbury Wells, was today closed for 10 weeks to allow major repairs to the structure to be carried out.

Vehicles were stopped from using the bridge from 10am and diversions were set up offering alternate routes.

Temporary car parks at either end of the bridge have also been opened to give drivers the option of parking on either side of the river and accessing the town centre on foot.

But tourism officials in the town have already branded the parking arrangements a 'complete disaster' after the 55-space car park on the north of the bridge filled up by 9am, forcing motorists to park along the A456 on the approach to the town.

The bridge has been closed for repairs costing more than £1 million. It is still open for pedestrians and people using pushchairs and mobility scooters.

Chris Dell, chairman of Tenbury Tourism Group, said: "What we have here is a complete disaster. There is not one space for shoppers to use on the new car park on the north side of the Teme and this was the case before the bridge even closed."

A spokeswoman for Worcestershire County Council said: "The 55 spaces on the north side of the River Teme represents more spaces than there have ever been in that area. No-one is losing out."