A WORCESTER councillor fears people on the west side of the city being cut off from Perdiswell's new £10.5 million swimming pool due to poor public transport.

Councillor Richard Udall has launched an attack on bus services, saying Worcestershire County Council needs to help St John's.

The veteran Labour politician says because Perdiswell Leisure Centre is so far away, he is worried only people with cars will be able to reach it.

People in Dines Green and St John's are more than six miles away from the big eight-lane facility off Bilford Road, which is due to open its doors by next February.

In recent years bus services have got steadily worse around Worcester, partly due to County Hall slashing a yearly £3 million bus subsidy down to £1.6 million.

Councillor Udall says despite so many residents being without their own car in his patch, it is "impossible" to get to Perdiswell during the evening.

Councillor Udall said: "A child living in Dines Green, by the most direct route and not the safest route, would need to walk over six miles to reach the new pool and walk home again.

"No public transport exists in the evening and this needs to change.

"Since the county council ended evening bus routes to the Dines Green estate it has been impossible for young people to get to sporting or leisure facilities by bus.

"We need to improve physical activity among the young but it needs to be accessible."

The Labour figurehead, who sits on both the city and county councils, says he wants to start fresh talks about reinstating evening bus services in west Worcester.

"When I was young I was a member of Worcester Swimming Club," said.

"The opportunity to learn, to swim and enjoy swimming must not be denied to today's youngsters.

"Without public transport many will simply not be able to go swimming - that cannot be right."

Bosses at County Hall are currently discussing contracts for buses next year, but say there is not a limitless pot of money.

Councillor Marcus Hart, the cabinet member for highways, said: "I am sure that residents and Councillor Udall are fully aware we have to operate with smaller budgets than previously, and this has meant focusing on subsidising those bus services which have the most take-up.

"It is possible to use the 36 bus service, which carries on until the early evening bus, stopping at the leisure centre until 7.46pm Monday to Friday.

"This allows people to travel to Dines Green, with one change in the city centre."