A MAJOR road will close overnight on two days next month to allow for a new bridge to be installed.

The A4440 Southern Link Road, which has seen extension work in recent years to add an extra lane, will close in both directions between the Whittington and Norton roundabouts overnight on June 1 and June 22 to allow for a new farm bridge to be installed.

The first closure from 7pm on Saturday, June 2 to 7pm on Sunday, June 2 will allow the main beams of the bridge to be put in place.

The second closure from 7pm on Saturday, June 22 to 6am on Sunday, June 23 is to allow for concrete to be poured in.

Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “While work is progressing well on the final phase of the dualling from Ketch to Powick roundabouts, it’s great to see work to improve connectivity continuing on another part of the Southern Link Road.

“Work to install these bridges is vital and, once in place, they will dramatically improve connections for local businesses and communities.”

The private farm bridge is the first to be installed and would sit to the east of the railway line. The bridge would provide a link between the two halves of Upper Battenhall Farm on either side of the Southern Link Road.

Further closures are expected to install the Crookbarrow Way footbridge which will provide a link between Worcester city centre and the new Worcestershire Parkway railway station for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cabinet approved an extra £7 million extra for three bridges across the A4440 in November last year.

The third Broomhall Way bridge is being paid for by developers who plan to build houses to the south.