A safety scheme for cyclists is being launched on the A64 near York where Olympic cyclist Peter Longbottom was killed more than three years ago.

Mr Longbottom, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games competitor from Malton, died when his bike was struck by several cars on a dark February evening in 1998.

The accident happened as he was cycling along the dual carriageway near a slip road emerging from York's Grimston Bar roundabout.

Now the Highways Agency is introducing new safety measures on the dual carriageway at this junction, and also at the A19 interchange at Fulford and the Bond Hill Ash junction near Copmanthorpe.

The scheme involves cyclists leaving the main carriageway as they approach each slip road, and then crossing the slip road at right angles when it is clear of vehicles. They then use the slip road to safely rejoin the main carriageway.

The project, costing £40,000, was originally due to be carried out more than a year ago, but was delayed for consultations with police and the Cyclists' Touring Club.

Mr Longbottom's widow, Lyn, welcomed the scheme, saying: "I am so pleased that it has not been a complete waste, and that they have done something that hopefully will save other lives.

"It's obvious something needed doing."

Paul Hepworth, spokesman for York and North Yorkshire Cyclists' Touring Club, gave the scheme a cautious welcome, saying: "It's better than nothing.

"Although I cannot imagine many recreational cyclists would voluntarily cycle along such a busy trunk road, some would use it to get to Askham Bryan College or to work at Bilbrough Top."

He said the CTC had had to battle over the years for all sorts of measures to reduce the dangers for cyclists, including safer crossings over busy routes such as the York Outer Ring Road.

One campaigning cyclist, Karl Briggs, of Helmsley, has previously criticised the A64 scheme, saying it was wrong in principle for cyclists to have to give way to traffic on slip roads. He said underpasses should be provided instead to allow cyclists to travel safely under the slip roads.

Updated: 11:32 Tuesday, June 19, 2001