Getting stuck in traffic queues during the daily slog to work is one of modern life's many trials.

It seems ridiculous, however, that a small city like York has worse traffic jams than London.

A Press investigation has revealed that on some main roads into the city the average speed of rush-hour motorists is as low as 5.6 mph - slower than the average slowest speeds in the capital.

The time has come to do something about York's traffic nightmare - and not simply because of the inconvenience and pollution. There is a real danger York's economy could be damaged by the gridlock.

Who is to know how many companies looking to set up a base here have been put off because they couldn't even get into the city in the first place?

Today, transport bosses in York announced they will be bidding in October for up to £160 million to dual sections of the outer ring road.

Meanwhile, next month, a separate bid will be lodged to the regional transport board for £26.5 million for new park-and- ride sites, while the Highways Agency will bid for £5 million to upgrade the Hopgrove Roundabout. The bids are being collectively known as Access York - and that is the name we have also given to a new Press campaign calling for York's transport problems to be sorted.

We back the various bids for roads cash 100 per cent. But widening and improving roads isn't enough. This city - and the surrounding countryside of which it is the hub - also needs better public transport, so that people from outlying villages can realistically commute to York by bus. There have been talks with West Yorkshire Metro about including us in the metro zone. That is an option well worth considering and perhaps Yorkshire Forward could also stump up some cash to help get this corner of the county moving again.