THE Green Party's co-leader visited Worcester today - saying people are suffering a "transport apartheid" due to cuts.

Jonathan Bartley called for more bus services to be restored in the city, described pollution levels as "an invisible killer" and said Worcester's A4440 Southern Link Road needs an additional crossing towards Norton.

The politician argued that Worcestershire County Council's £41 million link road revamp "has not been thought through", urging transport chiefs to provide an easier way for pedestrians to get across Broomhall Way.

As part of the dualling a huge bridleway will be placed over a stretch of the road near Whittington for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

But Mr Bartley told the Worcester News an additional access point - which could be an underpass or a bridge - should go nearer the Ketch island as well.

Council chiefs have responded by saying that is the plan - once planning permission is granted for a 2,150-home 'super village' across the road.

"It's just common sense, when you look at what's being done to this road you can see it has not been thought through," said Mr Bartley.

"People want to live in environments that are not polluted, they want to get their kids to school safe, they want to be able to walk about and they want easy access to amenities.

"And I think when you ask most members of the public they agree with that."

He said pollution levels were a killer people can't see, adding that reductions in bus subsidies have made traffic worse and damaged air quality.

He was accompanied by Green Councillor Louis Stephen and activist Jane Moorhouse, who is standing in St Peter's at next year's county council elections.

Mrs Moorhouse said: "People living across here feel imprisoned, lots of people want to get over the link road to visit Norton Park and at the moment they take their lives into their hands.

"But it's not just that, congestion is an issue across the city."

Mr Bartley took over his party's leadership on a shared basis with Green MP Caroline Lucas after Natalie Bennett stepped down.

During a flurry of visits today he also went to Arboretum Community Gardens, St Paul's hostel to speak to homeless people, and the city's foodbank which opened up specially to greet them this afternoon.

After his visit Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure at County Hall, said: "The safety of pedestrians and drivers is of paramount importance to us.

"Throughout the current works along the Southern Link Road, we have maintained a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Norton roundabout similar to that which was in place before work started and will continue to do so until the work has been completed.

"In due course there will be a bridge mid-way between the Norton roundabout and Whittington roundabout suitable for pedestrians.

"It will be installed when the dualling has been completed.

"Another bridge suitable for pedestrians and cyclists will be built over the Southern Link Road between the Norton and Ketch roundabouts once planning permission has been granted for the new houses that are being built to the south of the Southern Link Road as part of the South Worcester Urban Extension."