DRIVERS were frustrated yesterday as traffic was brought to a standstill heading into Worcester due to a planned road closure.

Major roadworks on the Southern Link Road, which saw the A4440 Crookbarrow Way closed both ways between Norton Road and St Peter's Drive and the A44, had a knock-on effect on traffic heading into the city.

The A4440 Crookbarrow Way was closed from 2am on Saturday until 6am this morning (Monday), meaning there were long delays for those who were driving into Worcester on Sunday to take advantage of Black Friday weekend deals or see Father Christmas arrive in the city.

Traffic on London Road and Hylton Road, heading in to the city centre, was at a crawling pace for most of the day.

The A4440 Crookbarrow Way was closed because the farmer’s access bridge, next to Battenhall Railway Bridge (BRB), was being dismantled and earthworks carried out, before a new railway bridge can be built.

Motorists took to the Worcester News website and Facebook page to complain about the traffic delays.

On our website, reader Jakebodge sarcastically said: "Good time to do it, just before Christmas."

He added: "Why not leave it until the new year when the roads will be less busy."

The bridge demolition will allow for the dualling of the Southern Link Road, which runs between junction 7 of the M5 and Powick roundabout, and accommodates more than 30,000 cars every weekday.

Work will enable the two 'uphill' lanes from Norton to Whittington to run beneath the existing BRB and two new 'downhill' lanes (from Whittington and Norton) to run under the new bridge.

The bridge extension is scheduled to take place towards the end of next spring but significant works, including those thus weekend, had to be carried out beforehand.

The £70million dualling project is scheduled to run until early 2019.

Cllr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, said: “These essential works mark another step towards dualling the road between Powick roundabout and the M5.

“By dualling the whole route, it will improve journey times and the reliability of journeys for people.

“We know the closures may cause some inconvenience to drivers and residents and we apologise in advance but these works are essential.”