A DECISION on whether Government funds will be made available for the repair of Upton viaduct is due this month.

Worcestershire County Council has submitted a bid for £2.5 million towards the scheme to demolish and rebuild the structure.

In a letter to West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer, Charlotte Atkins, parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport, said a decision was expected at the end of October.

"Your strong support for the bid has been noted and will be taken into account," she said.

Sir Michael said: "It would be wrong for this to be a further burden on council taxpayer."

Work on the viaduct should be finished by April, a month earlier than scheduled.