THE council has responded as drivers face another lengthy road closure near Malvern.
The A4103 will be closed in Leigh Sinton later this month, with an official diversion to add an hour to motorists’ journeys.
This is in addition to the ongoing road closure on the A449 at British Camp, which has been in force since September 8, 2025.
The road had been due to reopen in April but it has been delayed after a landslip appeared.
West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has accused Worcestershire County Council of “blighting” communities in the Malvern Hills.
She said she believes something “has gone wrong” in the authority’s Highways department.
Criticism from MP
CRITICISM: MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has criticised Worcestershire County Council over road closures in the Malvern Hills (Image: Roger Harris)
“When the A449 was closed, I was appalled at how little planning and consultation the county highways team carried out and the lack of impact assessments or how the work could impact local business,” she said.
“This was compounded by the work now over-running adding to the blight on local business and local people.
“Now the same team want to ride roughshod over another community and close a major road. The parish council has complained of poor communication and poor consultation and this mirrors what we’ve seen in Malvern.
“Worcestershire County Council highways team used to have a great reputation but something has clearly gone wrong and the senior council leadership needs to have a serious look at this.”
READ MORE: Council accused of putting ‘bats before people’ in road closure row
What has the council said?
Worcestershire County Council has defended its actions, saying the extension to the A449 closure was outside of its control.
It said the lengthy diversion for the Leigh Sinton closure has been “unavoidable”.
“The A449 was closed as an emergency due to a risk of collapse, with public safety the overriding priority,” a county council spokesperson said.
“The timing was outside the county council’s control, and the complexity of repairs has extended the closure, impacting previously planned works.
“The A4103 closure relates to developer-led works which now need to proceed, following over 12 months of delays to enable coordination of all planned highway works whilst trying to minimise disruption.
“We recognise the diversion is lengthy and disruption unavoidable.
“A signed A-road diversion will be in place, with clear signage and ‘unsuitable for HGVs’ warnings where needed.”
READ MORE: Motorists warned ahead of month-long summer road closure in Worcestershire village
When will the A4103 closure come into force?
DELAYS: Dave Fereday, chair of Leigh and Bransford Parish Council, said the A4103 closure will be “chaotic” (Image: NQ)
The A4103 will close in Leigh Sinton from July 20 and is due to reopen on August 21.
Works are being carried out by Shannonside Civil Engineering Ltd on behalf of Lioncourt Homes. Contractors will be installing a drainage connection for new homes in the area.
In a notice to residents, Lioncourt Homes said working hours would be 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
The road will be closed for 24 hours a day.
READ MORE: First residents move into 52-home estate near Malvern Hills
What is the diversion route?
The official diversion will take motorists on A-roads via Cradley, Bromyard, Broadwas and Rushwick.
It is 35 miles long.
