A NEW campaign has been launched to promote cycling, car sharing, walking and travelling on public transport in and around York.

City of York Council’s i-Travel York video campaign features York actor Andrew Dunn, who is known for his roles in Coronation Street and Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies, and has been written by BAFTA award-winning scriptwriter Jimmy Richards, who is also from the city.

A teaser trailer launches the first in a series of light-hearted videos which will be released throughout the year.

The first short video focuses on cycling in and around York and is timed to coincide with the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, stage two of which will finish in York on May 2.

In the teaser trailer, however, the character of Greg, played by Andrew, is seen cycling up a steep cobbled street in Haworth, which is also on the route of the Tour.

During the clip, which recreates the famous Hovis advert and features the York Railway Institute Brass Band playing Dvorak’s New World Symphony, viewers see Greg’s bike suddenly get a flat tyre.

David Short, i-Travel York programme manager, said: “We know that even more residents than ever are reconsidering their travel options.

“In fact, feedback from our recent door-to-door exercise in the north of the city found that 24 per cent of participants overall said they are now using their car less and that the sole reason they reduced their car use and considered modes of transport was because of the i-Travel York programme.

“We also know from cycle counters across the city that cycle journeys have increased by 35 per cent between 2008 and 2014.

“We’re delighted to have Andrew fronting the campaign and hope this will encourage even more residents to consider sustainable modes of transport.”

Mr Dunn, said: “As a York resident, I know it’s not always easy travelling around the city so anything which helps get the message out there that there’s support for people to try cycling or catching the bus more, I’m happy to be a part of. “Like a lot of the characters I play, it’s done in a very lighthearted way and it’s been a great project to be a part of.”

To view the trailer go to itravelyork.info