Cyclists in York got a £677,000 boost from City of York Council today (Monday, March 18) when a package of new cycle routes, other improvements and a promotional campaign 'How far will you go...?' was unveiled.

The package, which includes the construction of a major new route between Haxby and Rowntree's, will improve safety for cyclists in key areas and further enhance York's reputation as the nation's 'Cycle City'.

The new route will take the city's network beyond the 100 kilometre mark established last year with the completion of Millfield Lane which links the village of Poppleton with York and serves York Business Park.

Other measures announced today at a major gathering of city businesses, cycle groups and public service providers include improvements at Clifton Moorgate roundabout and advanced stop lines at fifteen important junctions.

Building will also start on parts of the east-west cycle route which will make it eventually possible for residents to cycle from Badger Hill to Acomb, Foxwood and Woodthorpe on a continuous route.

This year's programme is part of the council's £50m, five-year Local Transport Plan. It is the most ambitious cycle improvements programme ever undertaken by the council.

Unveiling the programme today at the launch of 'How far will you go...?' Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's service spokesperson for planning and transport, said, "The record award from central government to York enables us to spend £6.15 million on transport improvements this year and £677,000 will be spent directly on improvements for cyclists."

"Together with the safe routes to school programme we'll be making cycling attractive and safer for more York residents than ever before. Getting people to switch from cars will help to reduce traffic congestion besides it being a healthy activity for both commuters and school pupils in its own right."

The new promotional campaign 'How far will you goÉ?' is aiming to persuade younger adults that cycling is an appealing alternative to car use. The tongue-in-cheek campaign, featuring images on posters, adverts and postcards of couples enjoying York's cycle network, will be targeting young car drivers. It follows hard on the heels of the council's walking campaign backed by the Pedestrians' Association.

Dan Johnson, the council's principal transport planner, said, "The images used in the campaign were taken on the Millfield Lane cycle track, which took York's cycle network to one hundred kilometres.

"We want to encourage more people to enjoy York's cycle network and the green open spaces that it opens up."

Andy Shrimpton, of York cycle store Cycle Heaven was at today's launch and welcomed the new investment. He said, "This will make a major contribution to the quality of life in the city. I would like to congratulate the council on this package of initiatives which will be applauded by cyclists.

"These schemes will take the York cycling network over the 100 kilometre mark and I look forward to the next 500 kilometres." City of York Council's Local Transport Plan aims to improve the integration of all transport modes in the city, making it easier for people to travel around York and be flexible in their choice of transport for each journey.

The council's plans include improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and train and bus users as well as extending its park and ride network and investing in better and more secure city centre car parks for motorists.

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Notes for Editors Among the groups, organisations and firms attending today's event were the University of York, PlanetYork, Portakabin, York Environment Centre, CPP, the Cyclists' Touring Club, Kraft, Norwich Union, Wheels Alternative and North Yorkshire Police Advanced stop lines are the green boxes at traffic lights reserved for cyclists; some are served by green cycle channels between the kerb and highway enabling cyclists to get ahead of traffic and into the boxes. The 2002/2003 advanced stop line programme will include improvements at the following junctions: The Mount/Scarcroft Road Rougier Street/Lendal Bridge/Station Avenue Boroughbridge Road/Carr Lane Poppleton Road/Holgate Road/Acomb Road Tadcaster Road/St. Helen's Road Foss Islands Road/Lawrence Street/Walmgate Bar/Barbican Road Monkgate/Lord Mayors Walk Boroughbridge Road/Water End/Lindsey Avenue/Poppleton Road Huntington Road/Haley's Terrace/Fossway Water End/Salisbury Road Clarence Street/Lord Mayors Walk/Gillygate The Mount/Dalton Terrace/Albermarle Road Blossom Street/Holgate Road Bishopthorpe Road/Scarcroft Road Wigginton Road/Clifton Moorgate - Bumper Castle