Councillors have welcomed a major boost to the local cycle network around York District Hospital. Council officers have confirmed 3 new schemes, one funded by York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the other two by the council, will provide a link between St Mary's, off Bootham, and the existing Foss Islands cycleway running from the north to the east of the city.

Councillors in the two wards benefiting, Clifton and Guildhall are delighted. Guildhall councillor Janet Looker said:

"I regularly cycle through Bootham Park and this will provide an ongoing link for cyclists wanting to get from A to B anywhere on the West-North-East cycle route. It really helps immensely in promoting cycling on safe routes and I'm very grateful for that. Many people avoid cycling to avoid cycling on roads and this removes that obstacle".

Phase 1 of the scheme will involve the installation of a toucan crossing on Bootham, creating shared use of pavements for both cyclists and pedestrians, but also other aspects of new crossings such as tactile surfaces, and a cycle lane for those turning right into St Mary's from Bootham. This phase will be completed by the end of March 2009.

The benefits to Clifton ward are much greater, according to Coun. David Scott, who says that the cycle route next to the hospital has been needed for some time. He said:

"This is really one of the major missing links in getting a cycle route around the circumference of the city centre. Cycling is a low cost and efficient means of getting around and I'm sure this will encourage people of all ages to cycle more in this area. It is integral to York becoming a low carbon city and although we do well already, there is always scope for many more people to cycle and reduce the city's carbon emissions. I look forward to using this route when it is completed".

"I hope that this will be enable more cycle paths in Clifton, linking Clifton better to the cycle path network - especially Crichton Avenue Bridge."