CYCLING enthusiasts have given a warm welcome to a new underpass which will give them a safe way across the A19 on York's outskirts.

The underpass was provided during construction of a new £2.2 million roundabout at the junction of the A19 and York Outer Ring Road at Rawcliffe, which officially opened yesterday.

Ron Healey, rights/planning officer for the North Yorkshire branch of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), said the original proposals had not included any safe crossing for cyclists wanting to get into York from Skelton and beyond on the A19.

He said the CTC had raised the issue, and Rawcliffe and Skelton Parish Councils had lobbied for an underpass to be provided, and the Highways Agency and City of York Council agreed to the construction of one.

"It's a major safety improvement," he said,

Paul Osborne, of the cycle network organisation Sustrans, also praised the underpass provision. "We are very grateful that the council and Highways Agency have funded a safe crossing."

He added that he hoped similar provision would be made for cyclists and also pedestrians at other roundabouts further along the Outer Ring Road, such as Strensall.

The scheme also improves access to the Rawcliffe Park and Ride site, boosting capacity from 750 to 1,000 parking places. Coun Dave Merrett, executive member for planning and transport, said: "The roundabout improvements will reduce congestion and help traffic to get around the city whilst allowing cyclists and pedestrians to cross the road safely."

Updated: 09:17 Wednesday, February 13, 2002