PLANS to extend a footbridge at York Railway Station creating a short cut for hundreds of commuters have been given the green light.

The £500,000 bridge link between the new platform 16 - which will replace the current platforms ten and 11 - the National Railway Museum and Leeman Road will be completed by May 29 to coincide with celebrations of the 200th anniversary of rail at the museum.

Councillors have approved the footbridge plans, but before work can begin they must be referred to the Government, because of the station's listed building status.

The fully-enclosed new structure will replicate the original 1932 footbridge, which it links to the new platform 16.

Coun Ceredig Jamieson-Ball told City of York Council's planning and transport central area sub-committee that he was concerned the bridge would not have any provision for disabled users.

But Coun Derek Smallwood said: "The simple truth is, it is not as good as we would want. In truth we want all people treated the same, able-bodied and disabled, but it is not an option that is available to us."

Updated: 10:33 Friday, March 05, 2004