WORK will start this summer on upgrading a roundabout on York’s outer ring road as part of a £38 million programme to tackle congestion.

The project at the Wetherby Road roundabout will also help pave the way for a possible dualling of the ring road at a later stage.

The roundabout is the first of seven along the route which are due to be upgraded over the next four years.

The work will mean more lanes and space on the approaches and exits, as well as improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, said a City of York Council spokesman.

He said the designs had been amended following a public consultation which attracted 170 responses earlier this year.

The designs were approved by Cllr Ian Gillies in his last decision session before becoming the authority’s new leader.

Cllr Gillies said it was ‘great news’ that the council was in a position to get on with the badly-needed investment in the outer ring road, which would make journeys easier and quicker as well as preparing for the ultimate goal of dualling.

The Press revealed in January that a £300,000 detailed study would be carried out this year to outline the economic benefits from dualling as part of a bid to persuade the Government to spend up to £350 million on such a scheme against competition from other proposals across the country.

Cllr Gillies said the council had listened to concerns about the roundabout, and was committed to signage which encouraged drivers to use the lanes properly.

“We’ve also increased the space for cyclists, who will also benefit from the off-road cycle route between Rufforth and Acomb which we also approved,” he said.

“I’d like to reassure people who use the ring road’s other roundabouts that we are making progress on them, and they will get the same chance to influence the schemes in their area.”

A spokesman said the scheme had received an initial £3.6 million from a total of £38 million funding for the road through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Cllr Keith Wakefield, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said its aim was to "generate inclusive economic growth for all by providing local people with better access to areas where new, good-quality jobs are being created".

*The Press launched its Dual Them! campaign last year to press for dualling of both the ring road and A64 east of York.