A REDUNDANT railway bridge in Worcester has been removed by crane in a six-hour operation.

Road diversions were put in place to allow the 12 steel and 12 concrete sections of the bridge to be cut and lifted over Tolladine Road.

The removal of the bridge was part of a £20 million development to create the Great Western Business Park on the site of the former Tolladine Goods Yard.

Each of the steel sections weighed 38 tonnes and the concrete sections 34 tonnes and both sets of materials are being recycled. The total 408 tonnes concrete will be re-used on the site being developed by St Modwen Properties. Julie Rossiter, of St Modwen, said: "The demolition operation and road diversions were carefully planned in conjunction with Worcestershire County Council.

"We would like to thank the general public for their patience during the road closure. We can now forge ahead with developing the business park that will provide new job opportunities and significant economic benefits for Worcester."

The Great Western Business Park will provide a total 109,000 sq ft of employment units which will be available from September.