THE start of work to finish construction of a new road bridge which crosses the railway line at Finstall has been delayed yet again.

Last week, March 18 had been pencilled in as a likely start date for the job, which was originally scheduled to have been completed before Christmas.

Work has been held up since December while Railtrack have held talks with six householders whose drives will have to be raised to meet the bridge's new deck height.

Jon Fraser, manager of Worcestershire Highways Partnership in Bromsgrove, said yesterday that Railtrack now say March 25 is the new likely start date.

He said Railtrack bosses claim the work will take 12 weeks to complete while traffic using the bridge continues to be controlled by traffic lights. It could however be finished quicker if he agrees to continue the present arrangements for four weeks followed by a two week total closure of the bridge.

Mr Fraser said he is considering the proposals adding that he is extremely disappointed the matter continues to drag on.

"Whichever option is chosen there will inevitably be disruption to residents in Finstall and other road users," he said.

Jon Prescott, chairman of Finstall Parish Council, said: "It's high time Railtrack got its act together and stopped disrupting the lives of villagers and others who wish to use the road.

"They should press on and get the job finished with the minimum of delay."