A FOOTBRIDGE over the River Ouse in York could be replaced to make it more accessible for cyclists.

City of York Council has commissioned Network Rail to explore options for Scarborough Bridge, which spans the Ouse between Marygate Landing and the back of the Royal Mail sorting office in Leeman Road.

Cyclists currently have to dismount and carry their bikes up and down stairs on either side of the bridge.

The website for the CityConnect group, which is funded by the Department for Transport and run by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority along with Leeds and Bradford councils, says: "This project consists of building a new, wider bridge across the River Ouse near to the centre of York, adjacent to the existing Scarborough-line railway bridge.

"The bridge will have ramped access for pedestrians and cyclists. This will improve the connectivity of the National Cycle Network (routes 65 and 658) as well as providing a much more direct and convenient link between York Station, the off-road cycle network and the urban areas located north of the river."

CityConnect says a feasibility study by Network Rail has confirmed that replacing the bridge is viable.

City of York Council is now commissioning Network Rail to progress the study to the outline design stage, including detailed investigation of the ground and potential construction methods.

Paul Hepworth of cyclists' charity Cycling UK (formerly the CTC) the national cyclists charity said: “We are pleased that the Scarborough Bridge scheme is progressing. It will widen the segregated path alongside the recently renewed rail bridge, to link the Rail station and York Central with the Clifton area, via gently ramped accesses. This will help significantly to reduce short distance car commuting via Lendal Bridge."

He added: "We hope that the outcome of the devolution debate will strengthen our existing links with the Leeds City Region, so that York with its similar urban transport needs, can further benefit from the Whitehall sustainable transport funding, which West Yorkshire is receiving.”

A City of York Council spokesperson said: “A feasibility study is currently being prepared, which will outline the design, costs and timescales of the project. A council report will be brought forward in the autumn.”