TATTY parts of York are to get a major facelift in an effort to make the city look respectable for Royal Ascot.

City of York Council cleaning teams have been deployed to spruce-up a number of sites near the racecourse on Knavesmire and entrances into the city.

The Evening Press reported yesterday that the first phase of a £460,000 scheme to upgrade York Railway Station's historic entrance will also be completed in time for the five-day race meeting in June.

The plan is designed to make using the station easier and safer for pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and taxi passengers.

The key initiatives in the Ascot spruce-up include:

demolition and replanting/screening of the Knavesmire Road rose garden shelter

painting of Clifton Bridge railings

repainting of street furniture and repair of hand railings along Dame Judi Dench Walk

a clean-up of Marble Arch, Leeman Road

New fencing in Sim Balk Lane

enhancement to the London Bridge corner at the junction of Sim Balk Lane and Tadcaster Road.

the repainting of Clifton Green perimeter fencing

the removal of graffiti from Hamilton Panthers Football Club changing rooms in Knavesmire Road

the painting of railings to Bustardthorpe Allotments, near York College of Law.

Coun Andrew Waller, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "It is important for the economic future of the city that visitors remember York as a place that they would like to come back and see again.

"York Pride covers the whole city and benefits all York residents.

"By tackling these 'hotspots', which are the council's responsibility, we will be raising the standards across the board.

"At the same time we will actively be working with York Business Pride and private land owners to tackle graffiti and generally improve the appearance of our city ready for Ascot."

A council spokeswoman said: "The council's street environment team is continually working to improve the overall appearance of the city as part of the council's York Pride initiative.

"Proposals to improve the Knavesmire area have been brought forward so they can be completed in time for Royal Ascot at York, though projects in other areas of the city will continue as planned."

Updated: 08:31 Wednesday, April 06, 2005