A FOOTPATH which provides a well-used route to schools in Bromsgrove will now not be completed in time for the start of the new school year.
The walkway which goes from Harvington Road to Charford Road was supposed to be completed in 12 weeks but has been hit by delays.
Liberal Democrat Worcestershire County Councillor Josh Robinson, for Bromsgrove Central, said: “It was delayed once due to the council not wanting to put the bridge in place at the same time as Charford Road being closed but now we have another delay, doubling the time it was originally meant to be closed.
“This is unacceptable and gives me no faith that any other projects for on the A38 will be completed on time.”
His fellow Lib Dem district councillor for Bromsgrove Central, Siobhan Robinson, added: “When it was first announced about this project I was excited but with yet another delay, local residents need answers as to why these delays keep happening and why no-one thought about problems with doing two schemes so close together at the same time.
“Both councils have declared a Climate Emergency – we want people to get out of their cars and to walk and cycle to places but how can we say that on one hand and close a key walking and cycling route for so long, especially at the beginning of a school term on the other?”
Coun Alan Amos, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said a number of major improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure were currently being carried out in Bromsgrove, including the installation of a pedestrian crossing over Charford Road, a new shared use footpath on the northern side of Charford Road and an improved shared use path from Charford Road to Harvington Road.
“Once the works were underway, an opportunity arose to construct a new shared use footbridge linking the two schemes together which extended the duration of works but which will result in a much improved link for walkers and cyclists.
“Unfortunately, there is a national shortage of concrete at the moment and there has been a short delay to the completion of the bridge.
“The current plan is to open the new Charford Road path by September 2 with the bridge and link to Harvington Road being completed by mid-September.”
