A FUNDING package totalling almost £5 million has been approved to upgrade a footbridge used by thousands of pedestrians and cyclists everyday.

City of York Council has received £4.9 million from a range of organisations to help revamp the walkway attached to Scarborough Bridge.

Work will only begin if a planning application is approved, but proposals include removing the existing 1.3 metre wide footpath and replacing it with a wider space which will accommodate the 3,200 people - 600 of them cyclists - who use it everyday.

The current steep steps, which force cyclists to dismount and carry their bikes across the bridge, will be replaced with new steps and ramps at both sides to make it accessible to wheelchair users and pushchairs.

On the railway station side, the access ramp would link directly to the ramp which leads to the north side of the station itself.

A total of £1.5 million has been granted by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership, a further £1.9 million is coming from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and £1 million will be handed over from the City of York Council capital programme.

A further £500,000 from the authority’s risk fund from its transport budget is also being used.

Cllr Ian Gillies, City of York Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “The Scarborough Bridge scheme will help to open up a great scenic route from the train station to the heart of the city for residents, visitors and commuters.

“The new bridge will be over double the width of the current crossing, providing a far more comfortable crossing for the 2,600 pedestrians and 600 cyclists who use it daily.

“Ramps at either side will also help to make the route accessible for people in wheelchairs and pushing prams.”

Network Rail was asked to come up with an initial design proposal, and this was put out to consultation in July.

A total of 142 people responded - and of those, 135 said they ‘strongly supported’ the scheme.

Cyclists would be allowed to ride across.

There would be no designated cycle lane, but cyclists and pedestrians will share the full width of the bridge.