YORK is on track to cut road congestion, council chiefs said today.

New figures showed no rise in peak-hour traffic levels in the city since 1999.

And the overall growth of traffic on the city's roads was three per cent - seven per cent less than the national forecast.

The Evening Press reported earlier this year that traffic on the city's major roads rose by more than 500 vehicles a day between 1999 and 2003, soaring to 11,056.

Transport experts warned the city could be in danger of "grinding to a halt" in the wake of the Government statistics.

But Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council transport executive member, welcomed today's fresh congestion figures.

The Liberal Democrat said: "I think this shows York's policies on tackling congestion problems are working.

"We are delighted so many people are leaving the car at home and moving on to buses and Park&Ride."

Council transport chiefs submitted the annual traffic and travel information to government as part of the Local Transport Plan funding bid. Based on the 2003/04 report, the council got £6.23 million for transport improvements for the following year.

The council said figures in the latest report were partly due to the success of the Park&Ride bus system.

The shuttle buses have seen a 21 per cent rise in passsengers over the past year, breaking the two million figure for the first time. Park&Ride car parks now account for 40 per cent of daytime city parking. Recent developments include a new site at Monks Cross and extension of the Askham Bar service to midnight.

The new figures also show the number of bus passengers has risen by 2.5 million in the last year - a 50 per cent hike over the last four years, up to 14.3 million.

The popular BusInfo line - 551400 - has seen a 200 per cent increase in calls in the last year, taking the number of inquiries to over 300,000.

The council said a total of 33 bus stops had been improved in the last 12 months. Extra services included the Wigglybus for residents in rural areas north of York.

The figures also show the number of pedestrians travelling to and from the city centre at peak times had risen 35 per cent in the last four years.

Council chiefs have ruled out making the York outer ring road dual carriageway as it would cost £115 million and they said it would attract more cars to the network.

Meanwhile, York is holding on to its crown as one of the UK's best cycling cities. During 2004/05, 3,600 children received cycle training, with pedestrian skills offered to primary school pupils.

Against a background of national decline, York now benefits from more than 16 per cent of journeys to work being made by bike. Last year saw the highest recorded cycling levels across the main city centre bridges since 1998.

Updated: 08:38 Tuesday, July 12, 2005