A rat-run road in Stourport is to be closed to through traffic following a seven-year campaign.

Worcestershire County Council today announced Mill Road will be closed to cars from next Monday.

Motorists have been using the road as a shortcut to the Worcester Road to avoid the Hartlebury Road and its traffic island.

It has caused heavy traffic congestion along the route and sparked safety concerns among residents. Residents and councillors first petitioned to get the road closed in 2003 and have continued to battle for the closure.

Only residents will now be permitted to use the route to access their homes.

County councillor Jim Parish, representative for Stourport, said the authority had now confirmed it would take action. He claimed it was a victory for people power and praised the persistence of residents in battling to get the road closed.

“This is an enormous piece of good news for people living in this part of Stourport and represents the end of a very long battle for residents and councillors.”