York has won a £1.1 million grant to upgrade a ‘much loved, but flawed’ riverside path.
The money comes from Active Travel England to deliver improvements to the path between Jubilee Terrace and Scarborough Bridge.
It comes on top of City of York Council putting £600,000 up for the scheme.
Altogether 96% of respondents to a consultation supported plans to improve the path. Key priorities included making space available for different types of users and improving lighting and CCTV.
The money was welcomed by Holgate’s three Labour councillors Jenny Kent, Lucy Steels-Walshaw, and Kallum Taylor.
They said: “We are really pleased, and grateful, that Active Travel England have helped get the council a lot closer to delivering the required improvements to our much loved, but flawed, riverside path.
“Following the old Lib-Dem-led administration’s backing of the Railway Museum’s plan to close Leeman Road, Holgate Labour councillors – together with many from the Leeman Road community – have worked hard over the years to force improving this riverside route onto the agenda, because so many residents will become much more reliant on it.
“Under the new Labour council, in parallel with continuing to challenge the other harms brought about by the museum’s plans, we will keep working to ensure that this job is seen through properly.”
James Gilchrist, the council’s director of transport, environment and planning, said: “This path is a key route on our city’s walk and cycle network and is valuable in connecting people to the city centre.
“This funding will help deliver improved active travel infrastructure and a safer, more pleasant experience for all users.
“We will work with councillors and Active Travel England to review the scheme within the funding awarded and will continue to progress the design and feasibility work, which will then be taken to a decision session.
“I look forward to the next stages of this project as these significant improvements begin to take shape.”
Find out more about the Jubilee Terrace to Scarborough Bridge riverside path scheme here.