Plans to build new path connecting city centre to Shrub Hill

Worcester city councillors are to consider making a Compulsory Purchase Order to help buy land that would be used for a new walking and cycling route.

The path would run from Shrub Hill, which is undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration, to Pheasant Street and the canal bridge at the west end of Cromwell Road.

The councils’ place and economic development committee is to consider a report on these plans on Monday, January 23, which includes purchasing land which is currently part of the bus garage and Shrub Hill Retail Park.

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, chair of the committee, said: “The Shrub Hill regeneration will create a major new quarter for homes and employment, and the railway station could also deliver a big boost to arrivals in the area, with the number of passengers expected to double over the next 20 years.

“It’s therefore essential that we have improved links between Shrub Hill and the city centre, and we don’t want that to mean a big increase in car journeys.

“Encouraging walking and cycling between these two locations will be essential to meeting our sustainability goals, so I hope the committee will support the next steps to making this new route a reality.”

READ MORE: How Shrub Hill could look after huge transformation

The council is looking to purchase land belonging to Shrub Hill Retail Park in order to creat the new route (Image: Google Maps)

WATCH: Three month time-lapse of largest regeneration project in Worcester's history

The ownership of some of the land the council hopes to buy is in question, and the committee is being asked to support the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order to ensure that the project can go ahead.

If the committee supports this, the policy and resources committee will then be asked in May whether to authorise the making of the order.

The new pathway would be funded by the city council’s £19.6 million share of the Government’s Towns Fund, with £10 having been allocated for investment in Shrub Hill.

As part of this, the city and county councils will work together to refurbish Isaac Maddox House on the Shrub Hill industrial estate for use as an Enterprise Centre.

 Additionally, the city council is awaiting the result of its £8 million bid to the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund for investment in the refurbishment of the historic grade II listed Engine Works building, one of the main Shrub Hill landmarks.

 The Shrub Hill industrial estate is now owned by Worcestershire County Council, which is leading on its broader regeneration.

At the meeting on January 23, the place and economic development committee will be asked to agree to the two councils entering into a collaboration agreement, setting out how the overall project will be run.