THE county council allegedly promised to spend some of a £460,000 payment from the university on a light-controlled crossing before opting for a cheaper zebra crossing instead.

Traffic lights replaced the zebra crossing on Croft Road last month following years of complaints that it was dangerous and adding to city centre congestion.

The original crossing was installed between 2011 and 2012 and paid for, in part, by the University of Worcester in relation to a project to make walking and cycling routes between St John’s and city centre campuses safer.

The contribution was funded out of a £700,000 pot of section 106 agreement money – cash paid by the university towards local amenities in return for a developer getting planning permission.

It was signed in 2008 after the university took over the old hospital site on Castle Street.

As reported by us in July 2016, university vice chancellor and chief executive Professor David Green claimed the institution was “promised a light-controlled pedestrian crossing but instead a cheaper zebra crossing was installed”.

A county council spokesman told us this week, the money was used for a “range of improvements” including the crossing on Croft Road, all completed by 2013.

Other improvements included a crossing on Hylton Road, a new pelican crossing near Henwick Road, as well as improved access on the Hardwicke Close ramp.

While Professor Green told us, the university is “very concerned to promote safe travel” between the campuses, but welcomed the new toucan crossing on Croft Road.

However, both parties skirted around the issue of a supposed promise made about a light-controlled crossing.

In July 2011, when the work was announced, we reported that the plan was for the installation of a zebra crossing on Croft Road, and there was no mention of traffic lights.

If any promise was made to the university, it was therefore likely made at an earlier stage.

Prof Green said: “There were many discussions at the time about exactly what was promised and delivered but all of this is ancient history now.

"What matters is sensible improvement prioritising safety, improving accessibility and minimising traffic congestion.”

The new traffic lights are thanks to a £3.2million grant from the Department of Transport.