PLANS for a new 12-mile ‘wildlife route’ have been backed by the council alongside a pledge to eventually include the ‘often overlooked’ west side of the city.

The proposed 12-mile circular walking and cycling route would be marked around the edge of the city highlighting Worcester’s green spaces in a bid to give residents the chance to learn about nature and improve their physical and mental health.

Worcester City Council’s environment committee agreed to set aside £15,000 to help mark the route and promote the ‘Wild about Worcester’ project at a meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday (July 19).

St John’s councillors Robyn Norfolk and Richard Udall said they had some concerns that large parts of the west of the city had been left off the route and asked for assurances that side of Worcester ‘would be remembered’.

Worcester News: ROUTE: The 12-mile wildlife route that takes in most of the city but does not include parts of the city to the west of the River SevernROUTE: The 12-mile wildlife route that takes in most of the city but does not include parts of the city to the west of the River Severn

Speaking to councillors at the meeting, Cllr Udall said: “I have some concern about leaving out large sections of the west bank. I know we’ll be looking at it in the future, but it is a third of the city.

“There are fantastic walkways which would enable linkage from the Diglis Bridge all through to the Monarch’s Way, following the River Teme and Laugherne Brook, which would link up to the Laugherne Brook Nature Reserve.

“Almost all of them fantastic places which could all be part of this route and I’m looking forward to them in the future being included.”

Committee chair Andy Stafford said he was “on board” and had been championing eventually including the west side of the city in the route.

“I think it’s a case of getting the route established, marked and into existence and then to start on the improvements,” he said.

“If we all want everything all at once then we get nothing. We need to move forward in stages.”

The entire route would be lined with easy-to-follow instructions giving walkers, runners, cyclists and those with disabilities the chance to “immerse themselves in green spaces.”

The routes would also be connected to other places of interest around the city and future plans also include building a visitor centre and café along the route.