WORCESTER'S new-look Cathedral island has been labelled "disappointing" by some councillors - who are asking questions about its appearance.

Last Tuesday the emerging 'Cathedral Square' project reached its first major milestone after highways bosses fully opened the new road layout.

But some members of Worcestershire County Council have voiced unease with how it looks - including a former Mayor of Worcester who says it looks like nothing like the colourful artists' impressions bandied about previously.

It came up for debate during a full council meeting at County Hall, where the scaled-down pedestrian crossing came in for criticism.

Councillor Pat Agar, a former first citizen, said: "I'm a bit concerned with the way Cathedral Square is developing, to be honest.

"What we've got is acres of tarmac and a great big road in front of the Cathedral, the bus stop is the wrong way round, it's not what many of us envisaged when it came to the planning committee (at Worcester City Council).

"I just don't think it's good enough."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Sue Askin said she agreed, adding: "I saw drawings as late as May showing how an enormous crossing would go right across to the Elgar statue.

"But it's now more or less exactly where it was before, just without the pedestrian refuge.

"Like Councillor Agar I feel a sense of disappointment over it, and wonder why it couldn't be realigned the way we expected."

Council chiefs have responded by insisting the larger crossing had to be dropped on safety grounds - and have urged people to be patient over the transformation.

Councillor John Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "This is only phase one - we're now awaiting the development at the back of the square and once complete it will transform the area.

"A lot of consultation was done and when the safety audit took place the official advice was that the safest place, and correct place, was to keep the crossing where it is now.

"My personal view is that it's in the wrong place, we did want it moved but it was ruled out on safety grounds."

As we revealed on Tuesday the council has now handed the site to developers Salmon Harvester to revamp the shopping centre, which will be transformed and take seven new restaurants.

Bosses expect to take the land back in around 18 months to complete the work, putting down new street furniture and creating an open piazza, with the area being renamed 'Cathedral Square' in a stunning makeover.

Work on the piazza will start in the spring or summer of 2017 and be finished by the end of that year, with the council basing its appearance on 'Angel's Farewell' by Sir Edward Elgar.

It is also proving commercially attractive - with Byron Hamburgers, Ask, steakhouse Miller and Carter and casual dining chain Cosy Club among the seven prospective restaurants signed up so far, with the promise of al fresco dining overlooking the square.

Salmon Harvester, which owns the plaza, also says interest is high in filling the rest of the units.

* First major milestone reached in Cathedral Square project - see our report on Tuesday about phase one being complete HERE.