THE guardians of Worcester's heritage have backed the dramatic £12 million 'Skywalk' bid - saying it could open up the city like never before.

Worcester Civic Society has revealed how it supports the idea of a New York-style 1,000 metre walkway linking a raft of key city assets.

The backing is another big boost for the ambitious project, with the civic body among the city's most influential in shaping Worcester's future direction.

As your Worcester News revealed yesterday, a company called One Creative Environments wants to create what it calls a "stunning new link" for pedestrians from St John's to Foregate Street railway station.

It would see an historic disused railway viaduct brought back into use and create the world's largest green network of living flora and fauna along the route.

Phil Douce, Worcester Civic Society chairman, said: "It looks great, there's obviously a lot to the project and it looks very exciting.

"The only thing I'm wondering is the cost, because I can't believe it will cost just £12 million - but it certainly does look very good."

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that the actual concept for the skywalk originally came from former Worcester City Council leader Adrian Gregson.

Councillor Gregson, who led the authority for 12 months before Labour lost control to the Conservatives last year, raised it during talks with the city's university and business leaders.

He said: "It's visionary, it's really exciting, it's a fantastic ambitious proposal and our job is to sell it as much as we can.

"At the time I raised it we cast around to see who's got the ability and knowledge to put a plan together for it.

"There will always be lots of different priorities but if sufficient people can see the benefits from an economic and tourist potential, there's a real opportunity here."

Although funding has yet to be secured for the project it has been talked about privately for some years and the company intends to submit a planning application to the city council this summer, saying if work can get underway this year it would be complete by 2018.

Modelled on New York's world famous 'High Line' it would start at Henwick Road and snake underneath the railway arches, across the river and past the Hive towards Foregate Street.

An independent study by experts Zeta Economics suggests the benefits could be anywhere from £55 million to £217 million, including less obesity and pollution, more tourism through a massive profile boost for Worcester, increased shopping trade and jobs.

To see our special report on the project yesterday including videos and more pictures, click here.

REACTION POURS IN OVER THE SKYWALK

REACTION was still pouring in over Worcester's £12 million Skywalk project last night - with the public citing very powerful opinions for and against it.

On our website worcesternews.co.uk most posters were against the ambitious scheme, with many suggesting that sum of money could go a long way to improving road links.

But it also prompted many supporters to call for Worcester's decision-makers to work towards making it a reality.

One poster called Andy R, who labelled it "the dumbest idea" he'd ever seen, wrote: "The whole city is gridlocked because we don't have enough road bridges, and they want to waste £12 million on yet another footbridge, right next to Sabrina footbridge bridge and just up the river from the barely used Diglis footbridge?"

Fellow reader JordanL wrote: "I think if they want to take any idea from New York it should be the underground car tunnels and underground parking to solve our traffic problems getting in and out the city."

But another poster called ChristopherO said: "Here we go again - moans, objections, cynicism.

"This is a great idea, Worcester needs to come out of the past and show Britain what a great city it is.

"It just seems to me that Worcester people want to keep everything unchanged, live in the past and keep out potential wealth creating visitors.

"Go for it - another excellent 21st century lift to the face of the city."

A reader known as Roger5 posted: "At last, something imaginative that would bring in droves of new visitors to Worcester, and be extremely useful to people crossing the city on foot.

"Perhaps the original small footbridge from Hylton Road could be restricted to cyclists.

"Last year I walked on the New York 'High Line' which has been built on a derelict suburban railway line.

"It is fabulous, with planting including trees, benches to sit and watch the world go by, music and entertainment, food stalls and so on. What's not to like?"

And Gorecki wrote: "I am going to wait until I see the exhibition at the Guildhall before making my mind up, but (I'm) currently a bit mixed.

"It feels like it's designed mainly with university in mind, linking their main venues with a footbridge and cycle path.

"This is fine (success of the university equals our success) and will provide a tourist attraction, but I think it will have limited effect on Worcester’s congestion and the health of residents."

Many of the letters and emails to your Worcester News have also expressed very strong opinions either for or against the scheme.

* Keep your views coming in by emailing letters@worcesternews.co.uk.