Row over £225,000 'down payment' for new Worcester footbridge rumbles on

Councillor Marc Bayliss, leader of Worcester City Council, wants to put a further £225,000 of unallocated City Plan money as another 'down payment' for the new bridge in the north of the city but some of the council's Labour councillors fear it is too early to commit the money.

Cllr Adrian Gregson, deputy leader of the council, said the bridge should be put forward as a capital project and the money should not come from the City Plan fund.

Repeating his concerns from last week's place and economic development meeting, Cllr Gregson said: "Before we have any proper designs, it makes no sense to commit that kind of money."

The plan for the footbridge from Gheluvelt Park to the old Kepax landfill site was boosted by a county council commitment of £4.2 million in next year's budget to help build it.

Cllr Simon Geraghty said if the city council was serious about walking and cycling then putting the money forward was an essential move and it would have a "transformational effect" on the city.

He said: "Are we behind sustainable travel? If we are then this is absolutely the right thing to do.

Cllr Roger Berry was less enthusiastic and said he wanted to know the cost of the bridge before throwing any more money at it.

He said: "If we are going to do this we need to know what the cost is going to be. Let's have some evidence."

Cllr Joy Hodges said handing over the money was "too early and a bit premature" and the £225,000 figure seemed to have been plucked out of thin air.

Cllr Chris Mitchell said the bridge would be a "pretty sound investment" and he believed the council would get a good return on the bridge.

Cllr Roger Knight said the potential value of the bridge was "enormous" and was a "glorious opportunity" which the council should not let slip through its fingers.

A decision on the bridge money will be made when the city council meets on February 19 to discuss next year's budget.