The council has taken a step towards building a new pedestrian and cycling route from the city centre.

Worcester City Council has issued a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to secure land needed for a pathway that links Pheasant Street, near Asda, and Shrub Hill Station.

Set to be five-metres wide, the route cuts across Padmore Street and the existing Cromwell Street bridge over the canal.

 

 

Read more: Plans unveiled for new Shrub Hill walking and cycling route

 

 

The development aims to provide an alternative means of transport between the city centre and Shrub Hill, eliminating the need for car or bus use.

This proposed pathway forms part of broader regeneration plans for the Shrub Hill Quarter and will involve restructuring certain areas.

These areas, currently not publicly owned, include parts of the First Bus garage on Padmore Street, sections of a private street between Padmore and the canal footbridge, the entrance to Farmfoods service yard, parts of the Shrub Hill Retail Park car park, and land on the canal's east side.

Full details of the CPO, including the objection process, can be found at www.worcester.gov.uk.

Anyone wishing to object has until Monday, March 4, to raise concerns to the secretary of state for levelling up, housing, and communities, Michael Gove.

The city and county councils of Worcester jointly oversee the project.

Last year, the proposal received planning permission, and the new route is due to open by March 2026.

The new route is part of the proposals to regenerate the quarter, which will include the addition of 500 homes and the creation of up to 5,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

When the planning application was submitted, David Blake, managing director of the city council, said: "“The regeneration of the Shrub Hill quarter in the coming years will create a greater need than ever for there to be quick and easy ways of getting between that area and the city centre.

“In line with the council’s environmental sustainability strategy, we need links that are not all about motorised transport, and this planning application for a new shared route for walkers, cyclists and other forms of active travel is aimed at delivering that.”