DANGEROUS drivers who are travelling the wrong way up a one way street during a road closure will be targeted by police.

Concerned residents have watched as numerous drivers go the wrong way on St Georges Walk after Barbourne Road closed because of a water leak.

They have also witnessed 'near misses' with pedestrians as the drive up the narrow road.

Highways bosses have now asked police to step in to try to put a stop to the drivers.

Resident Elliot Nixon said cars occasionally "try their luck" travelling against the flow of traffic in St Georges Walk but said it has got a lot worse since Wednesday night's road closure.

Barbourne Road is likely to remain closed for several days while Severn Trent Water fixes the leak. 

Mr Nixon said: "It has made a lot of people come St. Georges Walk because of the diversion.

Worcester News: Neighbouring streets are also being affected Neighbouring streets are also being affected (Image: Reader Submission)

"I've seen five or six cars come down the wrong way today.

"I see them and I just think they're idiots.

"There is a 'no entry sign' on the top of the road and 'no entry' written on the road.

"It is just frustrating to see, we have cars parked on one side and cars driving up the other side.

"We have seen near misses for pedestrians a few times in the past.

"Today it has been exacerbated by the water burst on the main road.

"It is a concern, I drive down this road every day and it is very frustrating."  

Councillor Matt Jenkins for St Stephen ward said: "It is very frustrating and it is a sense of entitlement.

"We see cars driving the wrong way now and again.

"There are a lot of elderly people who live in the area and there is a risk somebody will knock them down.

"We don't want anyone driving down there in the wrong direction."

Heavy traffic has also been affecting other neighbouring roads where cars are gridlocked at rush hour. 

Heavy traffic has also been affecting neighbouring roads where cars are gridlocked at rush hour. 

John Stagg sent in pictures of Woodbine Road in Barbourne which is blocked by cars following a diversion.

Worcestershire Highways said: "We're expecting A38 Barbourne Road, Worcester to remain closed for several days.

" We're meeting Severn Trent Water to assess damage to the road.

"We've asked them to improve diversion signage.

"We've asked Worcester police to enforce against drivers using St George's Walk the wrong way."

However, a spokesperson for the Severn Trent said: “We’re really sorry to anyone affected by the burst pipe on Barbourne Road in Worcester.

“Our teams have been working hard throughout the night and this morning to isolate the burst, and will start the repair once that has been completed.

 "To keep our teams and everyone safe, a section of Barbourne Road will be closed, and we're really sorry for the disruption this will cause.

“Again, we’re really sorry for the disruption and supply issues caused by this burst.

"We’d like to reassure everyone that it’s our priority to get everyone back on supply, and the road re-opened as soon as possible.”