TWO million pounds of Government cash will pay for improvements to the Scarborough Bridge footbridge, it has been announced.

City of York Council revealed yesterday that it had won £2,037,000 to widen the bridge and improve the links between the station and the north of the city.

Cllr David Levene, the council cabinet member for transport, said: "We’re delighted with this announcement. York already has a good track record in encouraging residents to cycle. But as a key gateway to the rail station we want to consider how we could make improvements to this footbridge.

"This would be designed to compliment the recent upgrade of the Scarborough railway bridge by Network Rail."

The money will come from a Department for Transport Cycle City Ambition Grant, through a West Yorkshire Combined Authority grant application, Combined with a £1 million contribution already agreed from the council and support from Network Rail, it means detailed feasibility work can start shortly with the new bridge opened in 2017.

Cllr Levene added: “We are working closely with Network Rail and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to deliver an overall vision to further increase the number of people cycling in York.”

The bridge will become accessible for wheelchair users, pedestrians and cyclists and with better links between the bridge and riverside pathways.

WYCA's successful grant bid will result in a boost of up to £30.2 million for cycle schemes in the Leeds City Region, with £22.1 million coming from central government, the council added.