TRAFFIC difficulties around York are nothing new. But the level of chaos experienced yesterday was something else.

After a fatal accident closed the A64 between Tadcaster and Copmanthorpe for five hours, the morning rush-hour turned into a nightmare journey lasting, in many cases, for hours.

For the family and friends of the victim, this was a tragic incident. For motorists in general, it showed just how vulnerable our road system is. A day like that makes you wonder how close theroads around York are to complete seizure.

With the A64 closed eastwards, traffic was backing up for miles. Heavy rainfall added to the difficulties, causing the flooding of many side roads. For many motorists, there was simply nowhere to turn.

Arguments persist about the benefits of dualling the York ring-road - and the A64 towards Malton and Scarborough. At the same time, there are fears that the A19 could be heading for total meltdown. A report to City of York Council last autumn warned that doing nothing was no longer an option at the point where the A19 enters Fulford.

Traffic grows every day, the daily commute gets worse and worse for thousands of people; businesses lose money on crisis days such as yesterday, and, to a lesser extent, in the everyday traffic jams - and yet nothing ever seems to happen.

What's the solution? Widening roads may help in some cases, but more drastic action is needed, too. The integrated traffic system needs to be improved, and public transport should be boosted to the point where it offers a viable alternative to driving.

Until that happens, we will never be far away from another day of complete and utter chaos.