YORK has failed in a bid for almost £400,000 of Government cash to boost cycling, walking and the use of public transport.

The city council applied earlier this year for a share of a £20 million pot of cash aimed at encouraging sustainable transport.

The Government said its funding was intended to create a range of initiatives to boost the local economy and cut carbon by supporting cycling and walking.

York's £399,000 bid to the Department for Transport focussed on improving health and access to employment, education, skills and training by increasing levels of cycling, walking and public transport usage in York.

"The council planned to use this funding to work in partnership with community groups and sustainable transport charities to give additional support to key groups such as apprentices, senior citizens, disabled people and women/children," said a spokesman.

Twenty-three local authorities have ended up winning grants from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, including Manchester with its 'Let’s Get to Work' strategy, Birmingham with its 'Walk To' policy and Central Bedfordshire with its Cycle Superhighway scheme, but City of York Council does not appear in the list of winners.

York Press: Coun Ian Gillies

Cllr Ian Gillies, pictured above, executive member for transport and planning, said that while it was 'disappointed' with the outcome of the bidding process, it continued to be committed to the promotion of sustainable travel within the city.

"The council was recently successful in securing over £800,000 of funding for the promotion of electric vehicles," he said.

"It will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure that we provide information that supports residents, businesses and visitors to travel in and around York to minimise the impact on the environment.”

Cllr Janet Looker, York Labour's leader and transport spokesperson, said: "It’s seems quite possible with the Tory-Lib Dem coalition cutting bus services that the Government didn’t see the sort of strong commitment to sustainable transport that the council has had in the past, when it has been more successful in such bids.

“There is a theme developing of losing or risking money that is on the table, such as funding promised from Leeds City Region for outer ring road upgrades which York so desperately needs to address congestion.

“Council officers will always deliver results with what they’ve got, but with the congestion problems York faces, this administration cannot afford to push sustainable transport down to the low priority it clearly now is”.