TALKS are officially kicking off to see if Worcester's tip can be moved to the mothballed former Perdiswell park and ride site.

Two months after it was first raised, Worcester City Council has now agreed to start negotiations over potentially relocating the household waste and recycling centre in Bilford Road.

The idea, from Conservative Councillor Gareth Jones, was voted through during a full council meeting despite claims from the Labour Party that he was "electioneering" in a ploy to try and get re-elected.

Cllr Jones represents the St Stephen ward, has a majority of just 326 and is being targeted hard by the Green Party.

But he insists the suggestion follows years of "ongoing and considerable problems" about the Bilford Road site.

He said: "That park and ride site is now closed, it's a vacant site, it's by a traffic light controlled junction and there's no houses right by it.

"I was as surprised as anyone when the county council closed the park and ride, especially with all that money spent on it, but I'd propose that we look at this."

His request was backed up by the rest of the Conservative group, which said it was time to talk to the county council about moving it.

Councillor David Wilkinson, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: "I understand the problems at Bilford Road, anyone who's ever been there or to Perdiswell Leisure Centre on a weekend will be familiar with it.

"It's important we look at this."

Labour Councillor Paul Denham said: "We all know the real reason for this, it's an election stunt because a certain member opposite is hoping to hang onto his seat.

"After the elections this'll all be forgotten about because the county (council) won't spend any money."

Councillor Joy Squires, also from the Labour Party, said: "Bilford Road isn't an ideal location but I'm not prepared to relinquish the Perdiswell park and ride site, it really was the most foolish decision to close that.

"To move it there would take the facility close to the Muslim cemetery, which wouldn't be the wisest thing to do, and a number of businesses."

Cllr Jones said: "At the end of the day it causes major traffic problems - I'm only asking that we work in partnership with the county council to pursue it."

It was voted through 19-16 despite opposition from the Labour group and Councillor Liz Smith, a Liberal Democrat.

The park and ride was controversially closed down last September after a long-term decline in usage, from 450,000 passengers a year in 2008 to 274,935.

It launched in 2001 and needed a public subsidy of £186,000-a-year before its closure.