A WARNING has been issued to jubilant commuters celebrating the removal of temporary traffic lights, which lasted more than a year, that the road could soon be closed. 

Temporary two-way traffic lights and cones on the A449 Wells Road near the British Camp Car Park have been causing delays for 13 months, impacting drivers travelling from Malvern to Ledbury. 

Drivers flocked to social media this week after finding out the temporary traffic lights had been removed after a temporary walkway was installed over the voided section of footway.  

But county councillor Malcolm Victory said users should be warned permanent repairs were necessary. 

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Cllr Victory, who has been campaigning for the removal of the traffic lights for several months, added this could mean the road would be closed later this year. 

Cllr Victory, who represents Malvern Chase on the county council, added: "Users should be warned permanent wall repairs will close the road for some time over winter. 

"There will also be temporary traffic lights needed to enable the team to carry out ground investigation work which will inform the design for the wall replacement."

Cllr Victory added he believed temporary traffic lights could be back in place as early as this week, but a Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said this wouldn't be the case. 

The spokesperson added dates to undertake further works would be confirmed by the County Council in due course.

The restrictions have been in place since May 12, 2023, and were originally set to be removed at the end of November- but last month marked a year since they were first installed. 

This is in addition to the cones and barriers in place a little further down the hill on the A449 and also on the upper part of Kings Road, Upper Welland, where it meets the A449.

Cllr Victory added: “When I first got told about this by residents I contacted County Highways but was repeatedly told that nothing could be done to change the need for traffic lights. 

"My suggestions were dismissed on safety grounds, but last week I was told that a temporary bridge had been installed across the damaged area."

Worcestershire County Council said investigations into the repairs had proved more complex than initially thought.