PEDESTRIANS could be injured if they are forced to share a footpath with cyclists along a busy Worcester street, it is claimed.

Worcester city councillors will discuss the conversion of the footpath on Croft Road and Castle Street later this week.

But the leader of the council says the plans could be too dangerous to carry out.

"We've had quite a serious accident on one of these cyclepaths in the St Peter's ward," said Coun Robert Rowden, who is also the head of the transportation sub-committee which meets on Wednesday, September 20, to discuss the proposal.

"The lady's now confined to her house as a result. I don't think pedestrians and cyclists mix very well, especially as cyclists aren't obliged to have bells."

The plans have been proposed under the Local Plan, which indicates a strategic cycle route between the Sabrina Footbridge and the city centre.

The Croft Road footpath has already been widened with the pelican crossing at Castle Street converted into a dual-use toucan crossing.

West Mercia police support the new path, which will pass the new Castle Street police station.

But there are concerns over the incline creating a danger to pedestrians.

"There are those who cycle too fast," said Coun Rowden. "There are also pedestrians who can't hear them coming. But, until I look at the site and see for myself how the cyclepath will look, I can't make any decision."

The sub-committee will also discuss converting a footpath into a segregated cyclepath at Waterworks Walk in Barbourne.