COUNCILLORS have agreed to investigate ways of breathing new life into York's rivers.

Members of the Leisure and Heritage Scrutiny Board accepted a proposal made by Coun Mick Bradley to look at how to improve the Foss and the Ouse.

Many of the city's riverbanks are currently unattractive, riverside tow paths, with limited water and sewerage facilities for passing boats.

The scrutiny board will look at various suggestions, including appointing a rivers manager to work towards making the rivers more attractive.

An events programme - including narrow boat gathering, dragon boat racing and raft races - could also be organised to encourage visitors to the riverbanks.

The council has already agreed to spend money on improvements to areas of the riverbank at the Museum Gardens, Esplanade, Castle Lock Mills and the River Foss towpath off Huntington Road. But improvements in other areas would require significant amounts of cash.

Board member Coun Irene Waudby said: "We've decided to make this a scrutiny topic, and will be looking at some of the schemes put forward.

"The riverside is York could be really nice. A lot people don't realise what we've got."

- The Evening Press has launched River Rescue, a project designed to encourage people to come up with ideas to help riverside areas in York and North Yorkshire. Run in conjunction with Yorkshire Water, the project offers £400 to help the best ideas. For more details, phone Nick Hallissey on 01904 653051, ext 315, or see our website.

Updated: 11:57 Friday, September 13, 2002