West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has blasted the Highways Agency after it confirmed the M50 bridge repair works will over-run by five months. The work has already been delayed because bats were found living within the bridge structure and now further deterioration has been spotted by the Highways Agency. Repair work was due to be complete this month but the Agency has confirmed that works will not be complete until May and the scaffolding blocking the A438 below the motorway will not be removed until July. The road closure below the M50 leaves drivers having to make a 24 mile detour adding significant costs to people using the road and affecting businesses on the road. Harriett commented: “I am extremely disappointed with this latest news from the Highways Agency and I know this will be a hammer blow to local residents who are sent on a huge daily diversion to avoid the road closure. “This diversion must be having an impact on local businesses as well as it being a huge inconvenience for drivers. “I have contacted Highways Agency boss Graham Dalton to look into this matter and to see if there is a way we can investigate what losses local people have incurred. “I will be working with local people to see what we can do to alleviate the impact of this further delay and I look forward to hearing some better news from the Highways Agency soon.”