Clifton Moor is going green in an effort to become more cyclist and pedestrian friendly.

In proposals to be put to the City of York Council next week, officers have recommended a large-scale plan to improve access for buses and bikes and increase safety for pedestrians.

And it could even get its own permanent helicopter pad, so top executives can be whisked off at the drop of a hat to Leeds/ Bradford Airport.

If recommendations are approved, 30 schemes including pedestrian refuges at busy junctions, pedestrian and cyclist traffic lights, cyclist and pedestrian routes segregated from the roads and traffic-free paths running through proposed housing sites could all go ahead.

Additional cycle paths and footpaths will also be built to link the commercial and retail sectors of Clifton Moor.

Permission for a temporary helicopter pad at Forward Engineering Ltd were granted in November 1995.

In a report to the city council's north west planning and transport committee, Jonathan Carr, development control officer, says there have been no objections to the use of the aircraft.

The landing and parking of the helicopter on the pad between 8am and 8pm was acceptable.

The changes to the local plan for the area which would see the 'green' developments introduced have been proposed following a traffic management study conducted in September 1997 because of concerns that Clifton Moor was geared too strongly towards car users.

The next step is a public consultation exercise asking for the views of employers, Lakeside School, the parish council, and all other interested parties.

Part of a £7,000 sum from the council's top-up of the package for advance works will be used to prepare exhibitions detailing plans.

A further £30,000 has been set aside for traffic management, pedestrian and cycle facilities at Clifton Moor during 1999/2000

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.