A WORCESTER park could be saved from the concrete mixers after city council chiefs entered talks to take over part of a shopping centre car park.

Councillors who believe there is a parking shortage in the city had proposed controversial plans to create an extra 76 spaces by building over part of Cripplegate Park.

But now the council is exploring entering a joint management agreement with national property firm Axa to use its car park at Homebase, PC World and McDonald's, off Tybridge Street.

As well as preserving Cripplegate Park, the scheme could bring in cash to maintain the city's riverside parks and fund an ambitious riverside regeneration project.

Coun Francis Lankester, who is responsible for the regeneration plans, was grilled by Coun Samuel Arnold over the negotiations at a meeting on Tuesday.

Coun Lankester told members Axa had reacted positively and was prepared to enter further negotiations.

However, Coun Arnold said he had hoped negotiations would have been completed by now.

"This is disappointing news. The outcome of these negotiations, seen by many as a smokescreen for (Coun Lankester's) real intentions, will be conveniently known after the elections.

"If these negotiations are not fruitful, will concreting over parts of Cripplegate still be pursued?

"(If not), will he withdraw the planning application with immediate effect rather than defer the decision?"

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Lankester said the Axa option would benefit businesses using the Tybridge Street car park who were experiencing problems with anti-social behaviour there, as the council would install higher security.

"I'm optimistic with how things are going because I'd not expected such a positive response from the tenants," he added.

But, speaking afterwards, Coun Arnold said residents in St John's and The Friends of Cripplegate Park were still concerned about the park's future.

"This is especially so with the people in the Henwick House flats because they look on the park as their back garden," he added.