CIVIC leaders have given the go-ahead for an £98,000 scheme to improve safety at some of York's road and rail bridges, more than two years after the Selby train disaster.

All ten of the road bridges within the city limits which cross rail lines were inspected in the wake of the tragedy at Great Heck in 2001.

As a result of the surveys a programme of work has been agreed which targets those bridges seen as most vulnerable to accidents. More than £35,000 will be spent on Copmanthorpe Bridge, judged a "significant risk" by inspectors, if negotiations with Network Rail to share some of the costs are successful.

The money will pay for extra sections of safety barrier on the S-shaped stretch of road that crosses the East Coast Main Line, as well as "slow" road markings and additional warning signs.

On the A59 near the Red Lion pub at Poppleton, where a vehicle left the road and ended up on the railway tracks in January, £18,000 will replace three barriers.

The accident revealed that timber posts supporting the metal barriers were inadequate and even rotten in places.

High grade crash barriers will replace concrete posts and metal tube fencing at Moor Lane bridge at a cost of £30,000, while at Severus Bridge, a low plastic and timber rail will also be replaced.

Michael Tavener, project manager for structures and drainage, told a meeting of the planning and transport advisory panel that there would always be a risk at these bridges.

But he said the council was keen to take "reasonable action" to mitigate any dangers. Experts also asked the council to consider improvements to Holgate Bridge and St Helen's Road Bridge, but engineers decided that neither were at substantial risk.

Updated: 12:15 Thursday, July 03, 2003