VILLAGERS in Wyre Piddle fear its local amenities could die when an access road is shut to traffic.

The eastern bridge in Wyre Piddle will be closed off to all vehicles when the village's bypass is opened later this year.

It links the village to a service station, post office and the first school at Fladbury.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet agreed the village should be prevented from being a "rat run" when the £5m bypass opens.

But residents fear it could signal the death knell for the village, which fought for three decades for a bypass.

"Our concern is the village will become dormant and will lose the two functions we have - the pub and filling station," said resident Sue Taylor, who spoke at yesterday's meeting.

"The post office at Lower Moor could lose trade and closure will result in a cul-de-sac."

County Councillor Liz Tucker, who represents the village, said the post office, shop and bakery had already been lost.

"Everything, except Wyre Piddle, is the other side of the bridge," she said. "If you close that bridge to access only by pedestrians and cyclists, the whole face of Wyre Piddle will look towards Pershore and Pinvin.

"The face of Fladbury, Moor and Wyre will be permanently changed."

There were fears that emergency services would be hampered in reaching the eastern end of the village and bus services would end.

Any traffic wishing to enter the village from the east will have to travel along the bypass and enter the village at the western end.

"The village will adapt to the situation," said Councillor Alwyn Davies.

"I suspect the village could be that much better from what's being proposed. If we left it open it will be used as a rat run."