NEW cycle links and bus technology will be among a raft of measures introduced in York over the next two years through a £4.65 million scheme aimed at tackling the city’s traffic problems.

City of York Council yesterday unveiled its i-Travel York programme, launched after a huge slice of Government transport funding was secured, which is designed to give York a bright economic future, improve public transport and stop routes around the city becoming choked by cars.

Most of the work is set to take place over the next two years and will include a network of new cycle and pedestrian routes being introduced, particularly to the north of the city, as well as fitting buses with real-time information displays, installing machines which allow passengers to buy tickets before they board and bringing in measures which will give buses priority over other vehicles to cut down on delays.

i-Travel will see cycling and walking links alongside the River Foss, in Stirling Road, New Lane and Jockey Lane, between Haxby Road and Clifton Moor , between New Earswick and Huntington and in the Heworth Without area, with more facilities for cyclists around Clifton Business Park, Monks Cross and Clarence Street. The council is planning a schools engagement programme and the extension of the Bike It project, outlining the benefits of cycling to youngsters, while it also hopes to encourage more women to use bikes.

Businesses will be offered guidance on travel planning for their employees, with educational campaigns in areas such as road safety awareness and reducing pollution also on the cards.

The authority has said residents will also be given help with “personal travel plans”, with one of the aims being to reduce the high number of short car journeys which are taken in the northern part of York.

A new website – itravelyork.info – has been created to allow residents to pick up live traffic information, tips and health advice, and it will also include a video outlining the benefits of using modes of transport other than cars.

Coun Dave Merrett , cabinet member for transport, planning and sustainability, said “We’re proud that York already has a high number of people who take the bus, walk or cycle around the city, and we want to build on that.”

The project has been made possible after the Government provided £4.65 million from its Local Sustainable Transport Fund for the initiatives.