Traders say they'll try to keep smiling through Church Street one-way restriction

Traffic will be stopped from travelling uphill from Church Street's junction with Graham Road and Grange Road, while two new 11,000-volt cables are laid from the crossroads up to Belle Vue Island.

On-street parking, which is normally permitted on the north site of Church Street, will be suspended for the duration of the work.

Electricity company Western Power Distribution says the work is needed to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to businesses and homes in the town centre.

Anna Brook of Great Malvern Association of Traders said: "The reality is that this work has to be done to make sure the infrastructure is fully up to date, and it will cause some disruption.

"It's unfortunate that it is happening at the height of summer, so we hope Western Power will be able to get it done as quickly as possible. We are liaising with them, and I'm sure they'll do the best they can.

"Our local residents are very resilient and they'll use the long-stay car parks and find their way into town, and hopefully the tourists will do the same.

"We'll try to keep smiling and laughing through the dust and noise, and hope it's over as soon as possible."

The work follows on from the successful replacement of underground cables along Belle Vue Terrace earlier in the year, which saw temporary traffic lights installed along the A449.

And work is also being carried out on Belle Vue Island, where the existing transformer and sub-station have been removed, and new equipment is being installed. A portable generator has been provided to ensure the town centre's power supply is uninterrupted.

Pete Broughton, Western Power Distribution's team manager said: "The project ensures that we can provide a high level of service long term by improving the infrastructure and security of our electricity network."

While Church Street is restricted to one-way use, which is expected to last for two weeks, a diversion route for drivers will be signposted.