The Scenic Route (Battenhall to Pitmaston)

The map on our homepage shows the route from Battenhall to Pitmaston by road, travelling through the city centre and over the road bridge.

We understand this is the route being used by the Local Authority to calculate the distance between the affected part of the Red Hill catchment in WR5 (Battenhall Worcester) and Pitmaston Primary.

It has been suggested that the footbridge would be quicker and a better route. We do not know the distance taking this route, and again this is not the route the LA are using, however in answer to questions as to why we do not use the footbridge there are two issues:

• Safety (lighting, isolated route etc)
• Weather (rain, snow ice)

One of our number walked the route to see how long it would take and took some pictures on the way some of which are included below.

Footpath from Diglis Lane to Diglis bridge - note no lighting

Footpath from Diglis Lane to Diglis bridge - note no lighting and shrubbery

Flood across footpath on the approach to Diglis bridge - There was no way around this as all surrounding area was wet

Flood across footpath on the approach to Diglis bridge - There was no way around this as all surrounding area was wet

Another photo taken from the bridge on the St John's side of the river by the entrance/exit of footpath leading to Weir Lane

Taken walking down the bridge on the St John's side of the river - The river has crossed over the footpath

So, whilst a walk across the footbridge offers a pleasant walk along the river on a sunny Sunday afternoon, it is not practical to use this route for the school run.

Therefore the route both ourselves and the LA (or so we believe) are referring to is the route via the city centre, the same route shown on our homepage.