CYCLISTS and pedestrians in York have been given a vital new link into the city after a 45- tonne footbridge was installed at Copmanthorpe.

The new superstructure, which spans the East Coast Main Line, was lifted into place on Saturday night by two large mobile cranes.

A concrete deck was then cast over the new bridge and it was connected to the existing footpath and cycleway on the verge during the 17-hour operation.

The exit slip road from the eastbound A64 at Copmanthorpe to the A1036 was closed and diversions were put in place while the work took place.

The work marks one of the final engineering stages of the new £4.1 million Top Lane underpass linking Copmanthorpe with York, which will open to the public next month.

Updated: 12:20 Monday, July 29, 2002