A NEW cycle lane and pedestrian crossing is set to be installed near a York shopping centre to improve safety.

The route in Jockey Lane, leading to Monks Cross Shopping Park, will be discussed at a decision session for Coun Dave Merrett, City of York Council’s cabinet member for transport, next week. He has been recommended to approve the scheme, with the council providing £145,000.

It is part of a wider programme to provide a continuous pedestrian and cycle route from Poppleton’s York Business Park to Monks Cross, taking in Clifton Moor, Rawcliffe, New Earswick and Huntington.

The council’s financial contribution will come from its Local Transport Plan and i-Travel York initiative, backed by £4.6 million of Government funding, and Jockey Lane’s surface will also be improved.

Coun Merrett said: “Our aspiration is to link up the residential, business and retail areas in this part of the city, and these measures aim to increase the use of sustainable and healthy travel and offer a real alternative to using the car.”

Monks Cross Shopping Park manager Katherine Sharp said: “We welcome customers on foot, in cars and on bicycles, so anything which can be done to make access easier and safer has our support.”