REPAIR work on a bulging wall which is causing traffic delays on a main route into Worcester is being done now to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Worcester City Council confirmed work on the wall, which is adjacent to London Road and beneath Fort Royal Park, was being done for public safety reasons.
A spokesperson for the council said it was being done now to avoid clashing with other roadworks elsewhere in the city.
This was in response to drivers complaining at the timing of the work and asking why it was not done during the summer holidays when traffic is less heavy.
In response, the council spokesperson said: "An inspection of the Fort Royal Park retaining wall earlier this year confirmed that it had moved significantly since the previous survey and, on the advice of a structural engineer, the footway was closed.
"At this stage the cause of the movement is thought to be the build-up of water pressure in the ground behind the wall, and the current works will confirm if this is the case.
"The works are expected to take six weeks and will involve taking down the existing wall and rebuilding it in accordance with the structural engineer’s advice, which includes the provision of weepholes, to provide an outlet for water in the ground.
There have been problems with this site today and temporary traffic lights have been removed for the day - we're speaking to the contractor & will update going forward https://t.co/98d1yaklF0
— Worcs Highways & Travel (@WorcsTravel) September 20, 2022
"The timing of the works has been agreed with Worcestershire County Council in order to avoid conflict with other road closures elsewhere in the city centre."
The footpath next to the wall has been closed for a number of months and temporary traffic lights installed nearby have caused long delays and tailbacks in both directions along London Road.
Rush hour traffic has been regularly delayed and the lights were temporarily removed due to what the council said was an "issue with the contractor" before being re-installed later on.
First Worcester has also warned bus users that it is facing delays caused by the temporary traffic lights on its 45 and X50 services.
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