THE dream of creating a new transport gateway for Worcester is in tatters after the county council was outbid for the former post office building in Foregate Street.

Local rail passenger groups have expressed deep disappointment at the failure of Worcestershire County Council’s attempt to buy the old Worcester main post office, with a view to expanding the neighbouring Foregate Street railway station into a ‘super station’ linking rail, bus and taxi services in the city.

The Royal Mail Group said yesterday it has now accepted an offer for the building, which housed Worcester’s main post office for 55 years before it was moved into the High Street branch of WHSmith in May.

The company refused to name either the price or buyer, but the county council confirmed it has been outbid for the property by a mystery third party.

Worcestershire County Council’s Mike Williams, estate services manager, said: “We have been informed the post office is accepting another, higher offer. We don’t know who the bid was from, or how much it was for.”

The idea to create the new city gateway had been strongly backed by Derek Prodger, the council’s cabinet member in charge of transport.

He told your Worcester News he was still hopeful the council could find a way to resurrect the scheme, if the building’s new owner was willing to negotiate.

“I’m disappointed the council doesn’t seem to have been the preferred bidder, but it’s early days yet,” he said.

“Once we know who (the buyer) is, we will see if there’s some way we can work together with them. Perhaps there’s a partnership we could enter into that’s beneficial for everyone – I still think it’s an excellent site for passenger transport.”

Passenger groups could not disguise their regret at the failure of the council’s efforts.

John Ellis, vice chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, said: “Obviously we’re disappointed, because we were hoping the facilities at Foregate Street could be substantially improved if the post office building was part of an expanded station.

“There were opportunities for greater transport integration as well. It’s a setback and I know it will be a disappointment to both the city and county councils as well as ourselves.”

Mr Ellis said he would strongly support any effort to resurrect the scheme, but added that even if the ‘super station’ bid had now failed, it was important Foregate Street should not be neglected.

“Anybody who goes to Foregate Street can see how limited it is,” he said. “Certainly anything would be an improvement on what’s there at the moment.”