A PRICEY plan to build a new bridge across the city’s River Severn has come under fire – with some calling for the project to be scrapped.

Worcestershire County Council revealed earlier this week that the budget for building a new walking and cycling bridge from Gheluvelt Park in Worcester has risen by £7 million to almost £16 million.

The eye-watering cost of the bridge has been blamed on inflation and rising costs, and city and county councillor Richard Udall has urged bosses at County Hall to pull the plug on the project.

“Clearly this is a bridge too far,” Cllr Udall said.

“Part of decision-making includes knowing when you are defeated and when to give up, we have passed that point. Stop now before it goes too far.”

Some members of the county council’s cabinet defended the bridge saying it was an important part of improving walking and cycling facilities in the city.

Cllr Marc Bayliss, cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said Cllr Udall’s opposition made him believe the council was “doing the right thing.”

Cllr Mike Rouse, cabinet member for highways, tweeted: “The Kepax Bridge project is an important aspect of delivering active travel improvements for Worcester, not just for today’s needs but for future growth needs too.

“If we cancel this project it sends the wrong signals to Active Travel England about our commitment.”

The main selling point of the bridge from the council has been the benefits it will bring to the city’s walkers and cyclists.

City cycling group Bike Worcester said the new bridge would be a "wonderful asset" but would do little to encourage a dramatic switch from using a car for journeys across the city over to walking or cycling.

“From [our] perspective,” the group said. “This will [or] would have been a wonderful asset, but would do little to assist in modal shift for journeys from cars to active travel, and as such that money could be better spent elsewhere in the city.

“This will be a factor as to why recent bids for active travel funding from the [Department for Transport] have been a failure, the most recent getting £0 of funding.

“Whether the problem lies with politicians or a legacy of out-of-date policies or attitudes, there needs to be a notable change in tack."