YORK could get a new bridge as part of a scheme to improve York's cycling facilities and combat the dwindling number of residents pedalling to work.

A new bridge across the River Ouse linking Poppleton and Skelton and the provision of cycle lanes at Tower Street between Skeldergate Bridge and Fishergate gyratory are among a handful of ideas to be considered by City of York Council's planning and transport scrutiny board, to make the city's cycling routes more accessible.

A six-month consultation exercise into the city's cycling provision was triggered by the 2001 census, which revealed a significant decline in the proportion of journeys to work made by cycles since 1991.

Suggestions such as cycle lanes in Blossom Street, round the outer ring road and Foss Islands Road will be put before the board.

Other improvements could see Gillygate improved for cyclists, a route through the footstreets and high-security, covered cycle parking in the city centre.

A report to the council states one third of York's residents are cyclists, and they feel they are poorly regarded by motorists. They feel York would be a better place with more cycling but cycling in York is better catered-for than in most towns and cities in the UK.

Deterrents to cycling are seen as the volume and speed of traffic, inconsiderate driver behaviour, a lack of continuity in cycle routes, the narrowness of some roads, and issues about road safety on the cycle routes.

Ann Reid, City of York Council's executive member for transport and planning, said it was important to make cyclists feel safe.

She said: "It's recognised that, although we've done a lot to the cycle lanes, there are significant gaps in the system and areas where cycle lanes finish, often at the most dangerous parts of the road network. In order to encourage cycling more we will need to address those issues, giving thought to off-road cycle routes as well.

"Interestingly, the number of children cycling to school has increased."

Labour spokeswoman for transport and planning, Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, said a six-month consultation exercise was not enough time to draw up plans to encourage cycling in York.

She said: "This is something we need to come back to on a yearly basis to check progress."

The improvements will be discussed next Tuesday, at The Guildhall, at 5pm.

Updated: 10:55 Tuesday, April 13, 2004