A major route into the centre of Derby is to be closed because a 100-year-old bridge has become too dangerous.

The closure is expected to lead to traffic chaos as drivers who normally use the A6 into the city find new routes.

Derby Council took the decision to close the city-bound lane of the London Road bridge after safety checks showed many parts of its steel structure are corroding.

It will be closed for a year while the council decides what to do, which could mean building a new bridge at a cost of �5m.

Traffic hotspot

This could see the A6 into Derby closed for up to two-and-a-half years while the work is carried out.

About 8,000 drivers a day will now be diverted through Pride Park to the Cock Pitt Island, which is another traffic hotspot in the city.

Only buses, taxis and cyclists will be able to use the city-bound carriageway of the A6.

About 8,000 drivers a day will find new routes

Council spokesman David Gartside said: "The bridge was built in about 1900 so obviously in the last 100 years there has been time for corrosion to set in.

"We have put the restrictions on for a year to give us time to come up with a proper plan.

"It could be the complete replacement of the bridge or there could be ways of strengthening the existing structure."

He played down the knock-on effect on other roads but motorists were concerned about future congestion.

One female driver said: "I think it will be terrible because this is the main road going into the town centre."

Another driver, a man who uses the road regularly, said: "I don't know what people are going to do. It is going to bring the city to gridlock really."

The lane closure will begin in the early morning of 17 August.