DRIVERS risk having their cars towed away if they park near a construction site for the Kepax Bridge with a 'very large crane' expected to arrive next week.

Parking is suspended on several roads near the Kepax Bridge construction site in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne.

Police cones and warning signs have been placed on several roads including Waterworks Road, Pope Iron Road by the Winning Post pub, Pitchcroft Lane and Barbourne Walk and Somers Road.

The signs say 'parking suspended: no waiting, no loading, no parking' between 9am and 5pm from July 1 to July 3. A symbol for a tow truck also appears on the sign.

However, a tow truck driver was spotted on the road on Thursday as drivers were warned the restrictions were now in force and to move their cars.

WORK: Work is proceeding on the Kepax Bridge with a crane on site from the Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne in Worcester WORK: Work is proceeding on the Kepax Bridge with a crane on site from the Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

We have had unconfirmed reports the 'largest crane in Europe' is coming to the site next week and information on One Network website shows the roads are expecting an 'abnormal load'.

The parking restrictions are listed as being in force from Wednesday (June 26) to Tuesday, July 23.

Worcestershire County Council website describes the job as 'Kepax Bridge Site Cabin Delivery'.

We have approached Worcestershire County Council and Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, for a comment.

Meanwhile, a crane was operating on the bridge itself as workers were on the site as work continued to build a bridge from Gheluvelt Park to the other side of the river Severn.

WARNING: Another parking warning sign on Pope Iron Road in Barbourne, very close to the site entrance for the Kepax Bridge in Gheluvelt Park WARNING: Another parking warning sign on Pope Iron Road in Barbourne, very close to the site entrance for the Kepax Bridge in Gheluvelt Park (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Earlier this month Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, and the candidate seeking to become Worcester's next Conservative MP, said a new subcontractor had now been appointed.

He said: "In respect of the remaining work, I am pleased to confirm that the main contractor for the project has now appointed a new specialist subcontractor."

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"I’m further pleased to advise that we are still anticipating completion of the bridge construction works and landscaping of the site by the end of 2024.

Subcontractors, SH Structures, went into administration in April, leaving the main contractor, Alun Griffiths, to appoint a new one.