A FLAGSHIP new cycle path in the north of the city moved a step nearer completion as a much-delayed bridge was finally winched into place.

Last month The Press reported that children were walking and cycling along the A1237 outer ring road to get across the York to Scarborough railway line.

They were getting to the ring road by using an incomplete cycle path which had been halted when problems arose over the installation of a bridge intended to carry it over the York to Scarborough railway line.

Now the redesigned bridge's framework has been winched into place by contractor PBS Construction (North East) Ltd in an all-night operation last night that included closing the Outer Ring Road. It will need surfacing before it can be used.

Barriers have been installed to stop people using the cycle path until it is finished.

Paul Hepworth, of cycling campaign charity CTC said: "We are delighted that this key component in this strategic and vital link has finally been completed."

The work was delayed beyond its scheduled end time of 8am today, meaning the ring road closure had to continue long into the morning and queues built up as traffic was diverted along Wigginton Road and through Haxby.

The cost of redesigning the bridge and problems associated with ground instabililty mean the cost of the overall project, to improve the link between Haxby and Clifton Moor, has risen from an original £700,000 to £1.317m. It is the largest infrastructure investment for cycling in York since the completion of the Orbital Cycle Path.