TRADERS in Upton say many of them will not survive the festive period unless maintenance work on the town’s river bridge is put back until the new year.

They say trade has been hit by as much as 50 per cent since 24-hour-a-day traffic lights were introduced last month to allow for painting, waterproofing and re-surfacing of the bridge.

As well as asking Worcestershire County Council to postpone the work until January, they will be visiting MP Harriett Baldwin when she holds her surgery in Upton this afternoon (Friday) and asking her to support their campaign.

Annie Potts, who runs Emporium, in High Street, said: “This just cannot carry on. If something does not happen then a lot of us simply won’t be here come January.

“We are seeing our trade literally cut in half and there is a real risk that we will end up with a lovely bridge but no shops. They are working on the flood wall on the waterfront, we have had the floodworks causing disruption in New Street and now this. It is simply not on.”

Tina Hill, who owns The Writing Box, in Old Street, said: “It is absolutely unbelievable at the moment. I am about 50 per cent down and in 10 years here one single thing have such an impact. If this stays in place then I genuinely believe that a lot of businesses simply won’t be here by the time it is finished.”

Peter Blake, head of integrated transport at the county council, said: “Extensive consultation has taken place with local stakeholders, including the choice of colour scheme, and every effort has been made to minimise disruption to local residents and businesses.

“The works have been scheduled to reduce impact on main tourism season and festivals and the Christmas period. We are continuing to work with the contractor to speed up delivery of the project, which is expected to be completed by December 6.”