Bewdley residents have voiced "major concerns" over a 19-day road closure that could leave them "trapped" in their own homes. 

Dowles Road is set to be closed for almost three weeks from September 30 to facilitate utility work on the new housing development. 

There will be no access for emergency service vehicles and many residents will be faced with a long detour to get into town. 

Speaking on behalf of Woodlands Park residents, 74-year-old Penny Colebourne said the community is very worried about the closure and she fears for the older residents in the area. 

The bus service will also be affected The bus service will also be affected (Image: Penny Colebourne)

Ms Colebourne said: "The closure is a major concern. There are over 200 elderly residents who live in Woodlands Park and ambulances quite often need to be called out as it is a retirement park.

"I am a healthy 74-year-old but some of my neighbours are in their 90s and I am very concerned about them. It already takes us a five-mile detour to get to our GP but now residents are being faced with a possible 15-mile detour just to see a doctor. 

"I really fear lives will be put at risk." 

As well as concerns over the diversion and lack of emergency access, bus services will be unable to run down Dowles Road. 

This includes the 125 bus which Ms Colebourne said many residents rely on to get to Bridgnorth to do their shopping and get out of the house. 

Dowles Road is set to be closed for up to 19 days Dowles Road is set to be closed for up to 19 days (Image: Google)

She said: "It is extremely worrying. Many residents also rely on the 125 bus service to Bridgnorth which will not be able to run.

"A lot of older people will be unable to leave their homes to do basic things like go shopping. Unless they get a taxi or have family they can rely on, they will be trapped.

"Residents have reached out to the county council but so far we've been unable to find a resolution to the problem." 

In response to concerns from residents, a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "We have asked the developer’s contractor to look again at these works, with a view to minimising disruption, and we are awaiting their response."