A SUBWAY blighted by flooding and anti-social behaviour will shut temporarily following a campaign by a city and county councillor.

As previously reported in the Worcester News, St John’s councillor Richard Udall wants the Tybridge Street subway closed.

It has been hit by flooding problems and was shut for more than a month earlier this year.

Worcestershire County Council has now agreed to block off the subway from January 14, in a six-month trial, monitoring the impact of the closure on levels of anti-social behaviour in the area.

Coun Udall said he understood legitimate users would be disappointed, but it had been brought on by the antics of an anti-social few.

“Residents living in the high-rise flats nearby have had to put up with noise, anti-social behaviour and vandalism from people abusing this subway,” he added.

“I hope that the closure will give them some relief.

“The subway is damp, cold, smelly and a refuge for the anti-social.

“People are afraid to use it [and] the legitimate users have been outnumbered by the illegitimate users for years. This is a clear victory for people power.”

He said pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users can still cross the road safely using a crossing that has been installed on the junction of Tybridge Street and New Road.

He secured the subway closure by providing £2,000 from his Members Fund Budget, which can be used for local projects.

A council spokesman said: “Closing the underpass has been under consideration for some time due to flooding and repeated anti-social behaviour.

“As a pedestrian crossing has now been installed, which is clearly the preferred option for crossing this road by the vast majority of users, we are putting in place a temporary closure.

“This will allow time to assess whether anti-social behaviour is reduced, and whether a permanent closure is desirable.

“Councillor Richard Udall’s contribution towards this project of £2,000 from his Members' Fund is appreciated.”