Park will be partially out of use as new footbridge is installed

The onset of work to pave the way for the installation of the new Broomhall Way footbridge on the edge of St Peter’s is impacting on the ward’s Power Park.

The construction of the bridge, which will link the new commercial and housing development to the south of the A4440 Southern Link Road with Power Park in St Peter’s on the northern side, is scheduled to take 35 weeks.

It will be suitable for cyclists as well as pedestrians and will land in the park with a long ramp.

Worcestershire Conservative county councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, said: “This new bridge, which is funded by developers, will provide a vital link between the new development to the south and the facilities and services in St Peter’s, such as the shops, parks and the church to the north.

“It will also improve access for people from the St Peter’s side of the road to attractions on the Norton side, enabling us to remove the temporary crossing by the Norton roundabout once the bridge is complete.”

Public access in Power Park is being restricted as equipment and vehicles involved in the construction work will be located there for its duration.

St Peter’s parish councillors had raised concerns about the impact of the work on Power Park and wrote to the county council about it.

In response to questions posed by parish councillors they were told the construction site would cover most of the north-eastern end of the park, including the football pitch, with a smaller, satellite compound within it.

The majority of plant is being stored on the south side of the road, where practical, although it would be necessary to leave some equipment overnight on the north side.

Flooding has been a recurring problem in the park but the parish councillors have been told it would not be possible to prevent flooding, only to lessen its impact, with the aim of the works to make the park and bridge accessible during flooding.

This would be done by raising the paths above the level of flooding typically experienced during a year.

Parish councillors asked if there would be measures to deter skateboarders using the bridge’s ramp but were told: “There will be no physical measures to deter use by skateboarders, not least because most supposed-deterrents present hazards for other users.”

As far as pedestrian access to the park was concerned during the works period, parish councillors were told: “We had hoped to maintain a link through the park at all times, however, since appointing a contractor it has become apparent that this will not be possible while the new footpath link is being constructed (approximately six weeks).

“There may be some other occasions when we have to divert pedestrians via a short section of Cranesbill Drive but we have asked for this to be the exception rather than the rule.”

The park’s football pitch will be repositioned but will probably not be useable until autumn, 2021 following the works.

An artist's impression of the new Broomhall Way Footbridge which will link south of the A4440 Southern Link Road with Power Park