Reminder that Tenbury Teme Bridge ten-week closure for essential refurbishment work begins on January 9

Worcestershire County Council is reminding residents and traders that Tenbury's Teme Bridge will close to traffic on January 9 for up to 10 weeks whilst planned essential refurbishment works take place, which will give it a design life of another 120 years.

The bridge will remain open throughout to pedestrians, those with mobility scooters and cyclists and motorcyclists – riders will be asked to dismount to cross.

It was originally thought the closure would last around four months but, following an incentivised tender process, Volker Fitzpatrick was announced as the successful contractor in November and their programme means the link will now be shut for only around 10 weeks.

Keeping disruption to a minimum and ensuring Tenbury remains open for business have been the Councils’ priorities throughout the planning process. To help residents and traders a number of measures have been put in place by the County Council and Malvern Hills District Council, which include a £50,000 fund part that will finance a shoppers’ loyalty scheme, the Tenbury Wells Grand Windfall.

A special shuttle bus service has been arranged to run Monday to Saturday throughout the duration of works, linking the bridge and the Bromyard Road Business Park. This will be timed to meet the 758 and 291 bus services that will terminate on the north side of the bridge, but will run throughout the day.

For the duration of the scheme temporary, free and unlimited car parking for 55 cars, plus 5 spaces for disabled people, will be provided on the Burford side of the river. Similarly arrangements have been made to utilise the old market land for both free and unlimited parking and a turning facility for delivery vehicles.

All proposed diversion routes will receive enhanced signing to address any safety concerns the community may have, such as horse riding on the highway and children walking to school. The diversion and information signs extend into the neighbouring counties.

All winter maintenance work, including gritting, will routinely take into account the main diversion routes. Other routes, which will have a temporary environmental weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes imposed, will be additionally treated when freezing rain, snow, or hoar frost is forecast. Neighbouring counties are aware of the work and will be clearing their roads as we would.

For further details on the scheme, which includes a downloadable diversion route map and a host of other useful information, please visit the dedicated section on the Teme Bridge works at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/currenttransportschemes.

County Councillor Dr Ken Pollock, Local Member for the Tenbury Division, said: "After months of careful planning the bridge is set to close to traffic on January 9 for around ten weeks. The County Council and Malvern Hills District Council have worked together to ensure the town is kept open for business throughout the works and I'd like to encourage people to take advantage of the many schemes put in place to help local businesses and shoppers."

Cllr John Smith OBE, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "The work taking place on the bridge is vital to protect the structure and keep the link open without the need to impose weight restrictions in the future. Everything has been done to keep disruption to a minimum and this will continue as the project progresses."