Plans unveiled for new Shrub Hill walking and cycling route

A planning application has been submitted by Worcester City Council to create a new five-metre-wide path between Pheasant Street, opposite the Asda car park in Worcester, to Padmore Street and the existing Cromwell Street bridge over the canal.

The scheme would also include improvements to the bridge and parts of Cromwell Street on the eastern side of the canal, to create an attractive new way of getting between the city centre and Shrub Hill without having to use a car or bus.

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If all goes smoothly to plan, the council expects the work to start in March 2025.

The planning application forms an important part of the wider regeneration of the area around the canal and Shrub Hill station.

PLAN: The proposals for Pheasant Street (Image: Worcestershire County Council)

Last month, Worcestershire County Council revealed its new ‘vision’ for Shrub Hill which shows how it imagines the area will grow in the next 20 years which includes 500 new homes and predictions of up to 5,000 new jobs.

The overhaul of Shrub Hill Industrial Estate and the surrounding area includes hundreds of new homes, and business and office space and will eventually be home to a new ‘neighbourhood’ filled with restaurants, bars and shops.

City council managing director David Blake said: “The regeneration of the Shrub Hill quarter in the coming years will create a greater need than ever for there to be quick and easy ways of getting between that area and the city centre.

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“In line with the council’s environmental sustainability strategy, we need links that are not all about motorised transport, and this planning application for a new shared route for walkers, cyclists and other forms of active travel is aimed at delivering that.”

PLAN: The proposals for Cromwell Street and Shrub Hill Road (Image: Worcestershire County Council)

The council has been holding talks with several parties over buying land around Pheasant Street and Padmore Street to make sure the new route can be built – including First Bus over acquiring part of its depot.

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The improvements for Shrub Hill were dealt a blow earlier this year when the government snubbed a £20 million bid by Worcester City Council for ‘levelling-up’ money which included plans to transform the grade II-listed Engine Works in Shrub Hill Road into “landmark” offices and creative workshop space.