I WISH to clarify the situation about cycle use during Royal Ascot at York.

Cyclists will be able to use the city's road network as normal during Ascot week, but they will have to follow the general restrictions applying to all traffic outlined in the traffic management plan.

No cycle routes will be closed because of the royal meeting. Cyclists will still be able to use the Selby-York cycle path, though they will be prevented from crossing the racecourse when a race is being run, as happens during all York race meetings.

Based on evidence from normal York race meetings, we expect the number of people wanting to cycle to Royal Ascot at York to be very small. However, we are working with Ascot and York Racecourses to see how the needs of cyclists can be accommodated.

Shane Chalmers,

City of York Council's Project Manager for Royal Ascot at York,

9 St Leonard's Place, York.

Updated: 10:32 Saturday, March 26, 2005