Walkers and cyclists are to benefit from a £350,000 scheme to improve the canal towpath at Skipton.

The North Yorkshire County Council scheme will bring improvements to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath between Snaygill and the town centre.

It will also mean changes to the path next to Broughton Road so it can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.

Also planned are in-depth studies of traffic issues at Kildwick level crossing and the possibility of a railway station at Cross Hills.

North Yorkshire County Council – which early next year is expected to move to Belle Vue Mills, on Broughton Road, along with Craven District Council – is also planning to improve Black Walk and Gallows Bridge in Skipton, which form part of a well-used pedestrian route between the bus and railway stations and the town centre.

Richard Flinton, corporate director for business and environmental services, said: “These schemes will make a significant difference to the town’s cyclists and pedestrians, with pleasant canalside routes.

“Hopefully, they will encourage many others to leave their cars behind and take up walking and cycling into town.”

The council also hopes that the improvements could link up with long-standing plans by Craven District Council and British Waterways to upgrade the towpath between Skipton and Gargrave.

Skipton county councillor Polly English said: “I welcome anything that will open up the towpath – providing it does not lead to pedestrians being run into by cyclists.”

And she hoped that the paths would be upgraded enough to cope with wheelchairs and pushchairs.

“It would be great that, now the county council has found the money, Craven District Council could also find the money to do the towpath to Gargrave,” she said.

The county council has also agreed to spend a further £350,000 on the creation of a Skipton and South Craven transport model. The model will consider new traffic management schemes and, in particular, options for Kildwick level crossing, a new train station at Cross Hills and better car access to Skipton station.

The projects are part of a county-wide plan to spend £18 million over the next three years to improve transport and highways maintenance across North Yorkshire.

The funding has been allocated to the county council from the Regional Transport Board for priority local schemes and will come in two phases.

The first has already been approved and the second tranche, of £9 million, is expected to be approved by the Government in the summer.

The council has earmarked £3 million for priority highway maintenance schemes across North Yorkshire, which will be allocated according to need and best value.

A further £300,000 will be spent on monitoring equipment for the speedy repair of traffic signals.

Mr Flinton said: “We are delighted to be able to provide significant funding for these vital transport projects. Travel for both residents and visitors alike will no doubt be greatly improved.”