YORK'S new transport chief today said tackling congestion would be at the focus of her policies.

Outlining her vision, Ann Reid, City of York Council's executive member for transport, said she would try to encourage tourists to use Park&Ride facilities ahead of city residents.

Coun Reid said it was unrealistic to expect every York resident to ditch their cars and travel only by public transport.

But she stressed that the more people who used public transport to travel in and out of the city to work, the less congestion there would be.

She said: "We are certainly not anti-car. We feel that the people who live and work in York should be able to access the city to use the medium and short-term car parks.

"We should restrict the number of long-stay spaces, but as well as this ceiling, we will also have a floor.

"We do want people to use Park&Ride and buses. We want to build on what has already been achieved by the council officers."

Coun Reid comprehensively ruled out the prospect of congestion charging during the next four years. "York is actually too small to need it," she said.

She was also cautious on the prospect of a dedicated bus station for the city. "We could certainly improve the interchange facilities.

"York Central does give you an opportunity, but where would be put it? The current facilities do allow people to go from one mode of transport to another.

"I think we need to improve the facilities at the rail station and in Rougier Street."

One of Coun Reid's key policies will be investigating the use of through-ticketing for people travelling to and from York.

This will allow people to use the train and join a connecting bus at the end of that journey - using a single ticket.

Coun Reid said: "We will do anything to make travelling easier for the public. We want to make transport so good, the only thing people will have to think about is walking out the door."

Updated: 08:55 Tuesday, June 17, 2003