THE final seal of approval has been given to plans to replace Evesham’s Abbey Bridge.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker approved the plans for a new £12 million bridge and viaduct on Monday.

The project will take about a year to complete but the bridge will be closed for only 10 weeks next summer with diversions in place during that time. Drivers from the south will be diverted from the High Street via Oat Street, Mill Street and then Bridge Street. Motorists from the north will be rerouted via Waterside, Bridge Street, Mill Street and Swan Lane on to the High Street.

Mr Baker said: “This scheme will restore the full capacity of this important route and provide a boost to the local economy. The £5.6 million we are putting into this project shows that the coalition government is serious about investing in the infrastructure the country needs to drive economic growth both locally and nationally.”