FOOTPATH and cycle route improvements at a Bromsgrove park will begin this week, with the work expected to take around three months.

The work, which is being undertaken to make Sanders Park more accessible to people, starts today (Monday).

It is anticipated the work will run for about 12 weeks for the initial phase, and will be kept to weekdays.

A new 3.5m wide combined walking and cycling path from Whitford Road will be created though the wooded area near the wildlife pond and the Millennium Wood by the play area, and also at the other end of the park from Kidderminster Road up to the existing path where a new pedestrian access is being created.

The middle sections connecting the ends up in between will be completed in two later phases of work, which have been planned around events in the busy park.

During this first phase of works a section of 2m wide informal path will also be completed across the playing fields from Leadbetter Drive to the small bridge over Battlefield Brook.

The upgrades, once completed, will make some of the natural, wooded and wetland areas of the park accessible by wheelchair whatever the weather or time of year for the first time.

Jackie Boreham, projects and events officer for Bromsgrove District Council, said: “We’re delighted to be able to have more of Sanders Park accessible to more people.

"People will be able to explore more of the park including using our special park trikes, for example, which we make available to visitors whose mobility might be limited.

"The trikes, as well as wheelchairs and pushchairs, will be able to get to more areas of the beautiful park than ever.”

The works are being carried out by Worcestershire County Council using National Productivity Investment funding from the Department for Transport to provide better walking and cycling access to Bromsgrove town centre.

The link through Sanders Park is one of nine links in the town in total.