If every project listed in Worcester City Council’s new budget for 2018/19 comes off, then residents, especially those living in the south of the city might be able to cycle or walk along the River Severn from Carrington Bridge to the centre.

They might then be able to carry on to cross the river in the north of the city between Kepax Park and Gheluvelt Park; if they get tired as a consequence they could slake their thirst at new water fountains in the centre, and can do so while looking at new wildflower meadows.

All of these are projects listed in the council’s new budget, and if some, such as the new pedestrian bridge from Kepax park are unlikely to be completed with a year, councillors are determined to at least start.

Other items include £500,000 toward creating a new City centre Master plan, encompassing transport, housing and business in Worcester.

The council’s leader, Labour’s Councillor Adrian Gregson: “This budget will bring important progress in our City Plan ambition to build a successful future for Worcester on its 2,000 years of history. The City Centre Master Plan is a particularly significant project, as it will create an exciting vision for developing and improving the very heart of our city.”

Despite a disagreement over whether to levy a 2.99 per cent increase on taxpayers, the new committee system adopted by the politically split council meant that generally councillors were in favour of the new budget.

Leader of the Conservative group, and deputy leader of the council, Marc Bayliss said: “This is an ambitious budget that will bring our vision for a new pedestrian bridge for the city closer to reality, as well as supporting exciting initiatives in housing, our environment and our transportation links. It is a budget for a prosperous, strong and healthy city.”

Introducing the budget, Green councillor Louis Stephen, the chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee said: “I’m really pleased with the proposals to invest in housing of all types including commercial development, housing for vulnerable tenants, as well as a new money to support private sector housing enforcement and investment in the riverside and gateways into the city.”

The total budget for the council for the next financial year is £10.2 million.