REDDITCH walkers are being urged to find new routes closer to home following reports of crowds of people packing into Arrow Valley Country Park.

Police have been in touch with park officers at Redditch Borough Council after complaints about lots of people taking to the park to get their exercise last weekend.

Now, the council is promoting other walks across the area in a bid to get people to exercise closer to home while exploring the borough and staying safe.

Council Leader Matt Dormer said: “I don’t need to remind people that there is a global pandemic but I want to emphasise that numbers in the north of the county are seriously high.

“While it is vital for well-being for people to get out in the fresh air, there is no need for everyone to assemble in one place.

“By offering people alternative walks in different areas of the borough, they can choose one closer to home and discover a different Redditch on their doorstep.”

Walkers are also urged to get out and about at times which are quieter including earlier and later parts of the day, particularly at weekends.