A WELL-USED section of a city cycleway in York is set to close within the next week as work begins to improve accessibility along the route.

The charity Sustrans is working with City of York Council to upgrade a one-mile section of Foss Islands path between Wigginton Road and James Street.

During this first phase of improvements the path will close for about eight weeks between Foss Bridge - including bridge - and James Street, with a signed diversion. Currently Foss Bridge is closed with further sections shut in the next week.

Once complete the next phase of work will be in the autumn, when the section of path north of Foss Bridge will close.

The work will allow more people with wheelchairs, adapted cycles and buggies to use the path more easily. It is popular with people on foot and bike, but people using mobility scooters, wheelchairs, or families with double buggies can struggle to use the path due to poor surface and barriers.

In summer the path can get crowded with many different user types. Sustrans monitoring shows up to 1,500 users a day.

Foss Islands path is soon set to become busier as there are new housing developments planned close to the route including The Cocoa Works in Clifton and The Gas Works in Heworth. The upgrades will open up the space so everyone can enjoy the path.

The project team will remove barriers, widen the path to be three metres wide, and resurface it with asphalt. Upgrades also include raising the path level to prevent flooding between Hawthorn Grove and James Street, and improving signage along the route.

Mark Baty, senior engineer at Sustrans said: “Foss Islands Path path is a very popular and well-used section of the National Cycle Network. Sometimes it can get really busy, with around 1500 users a day in summer, including many wheelchair users, adapted cycles and other mobility aids.

“This work will help create more space for all users so people of all ages and abilities can enjoy and share this path safely.

“Please do bear with us while this work is carried out and follow the diversion signs in place. The section where we’re doing the improvements will need to close for a few weeks but we will try and keep the path open during non-work hours where possible.”

The Foss Islands Path upgrades are funded by the Department for Transport as part of Sustrans’ national programme to improve the National Cycle Network and make it accessible for everyone.

Foss Islands Path is a 2.5 mile route from Clifton to Derwenthorpe in North York, passing through a number of residential and business areas. 

For more information on the upgrade please follow Sustrans North on facebook and X or email: englandnorth@sustrans.org.uk