BIDFORD residents are set for disruption after it was announced work on the damaged the medieval bridge would take up to six months to complete.

The ancient monument was hit by a crop sprayer on Tuesday, June 9 and significant repairs need to be carried out on the stone parapet, spandrel wall and central pier.

The bridge has now been reopened to pedestrians and cyclists but a date has not been set for when it will be open to vehicles.

The closure of bridge on Honeybourne Road has meant drivers have been forced to take detours and businesses nearby the bridge have expressed concerns.

Patrick Marshall, owner The Bridge Riverside Eaterie in Bidford-on- Avon, said presently his business had not seen any downturn but expressed concerns over the length of time the bridge would be shut.

He said: "So far so good.

"They can park on the other side of the bridge but this is going to go on for months and months."

The council has told residents it is doing all it can to minimise the disruption by providing extra parking and signs which indicate that businesses are open as usual.

A meeting with stakeholders and councillors took place on Wednesday June 17 to discuss the repairs.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said: "We are grateful for the support from the many stakeholders involved in this major repair project.

"At today's (June 17) progress meeting we discussed steps to remove the unsafe elements of the structure and scheduled further inspections.

"Scaffold design has been undertaken and parties are currently sourcing appropriate equipment and materials to establish safe working environment.

"Isolated elements to the work will require closure but we will endeavour to maintain access for pedestrians and cyclists through the duration of the repair which we anticipate will take four to six months."

As the bridge is a historic structure, repairs have to be carried out with the involvement of different stakeholders and interested parties.

These include representatives from Historic England, Canal River Trust, stonemasons, and the county council's traffic control, highways and term maintenance contractor.

For the latest information on when the bridge will be reopened to vehicles, keep checking redditchadvertiser.co.uk.