A MASSIVE £677,000 surge for York's efforts to take traffic off roads and onto cycle tracks has been announced by transport chiefs.

And the spending will be promoted by a saucy new advertising campaign featuring a young couple in suggestive poses along the Millfield Lane cycle track, with cycles featuring in the photographs.

The "How far will you go ...?" campaign is joined by a package of new cycle routes which will take the city's network past the 100 kilometres mark and will include a link between Haxby and Nestl.

And improvements planned this year include work at junctions between the Mount and Scarcroft Road, Rougier Street and Lendal Bridge and Poppleton Road and Holgate Road.

Other measures include improvements at Clifton Moorgate roundabout.

Announcing the spending, City of York Council's transport spokeswoman Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing said: "We'll be making cycling attractive and safer for more York residents than ever before.

"Getting people to switch from cars will help to reduce traffic congestion besides it being a healthy activity for both commuters and school pupils in its own right."The "how far will you go ...?" campaign is intended to be tongue-in-cheek and targets young car users.

"Some people may be surprised by these images, but they are intended to give a connection with cycling and pleasurable exercises," said Coun Simpson-Laing.

Building is also set to start on parts of the east-west cycle route, making it eventually possible for residents to cycle from Badger Hill to Acomb, Foxwood and Woodthorpe on a continuous route.

The drive has been welcomed by cycling campaigners in the city.

Andy Shrimpton, who runs Bishopthorpe Road-based store Cycle Heaven, said: "I would congratulate the council on this package of initiatives, which will be applauded by cyclists.

"This will make a major contribution to the quality of life in the city."

The campaign coincides with PlanetYork, a year-long project to make the city the most energy efficient in the UK.

Updated: 08:55 Tuesday, March 19, 2002