Traffic congestion is viewed by residents as York's number one problem, a major survey revealed today.

Crime and vandalism comes in at number two in the city's league of worries.

City of York Council has published its third annual Residents' Opinion Survey, in which 850 interviews were conducted with "a representative sample of York residents"

It paints a fascinating picture of the issues which are concerning residents as the city approaches the new Millennium.

Council officers say the results will tell them a great deal about the issues which citizens see as important, and may influence future policy.

Traffic congestion was highlighted as the main problem facing the city as a whole by 48 per cent of those questioned, followed by crime and vandalism (34 per cent) and unemployment (19 per cent).

The issues which people and their families felt affected them the most personally were crime and vandalism (30 per cent), traffic congestion (27 per cent) and health (25 per cent).The condition of footpaths was also highlighted as a major concern.

The survey also showed 69 per cent of residents were happy with the council - five per cent higher than last year - compared with 53 per cent across the UK as a whole.

A report to the authority's Policy and Resources Committee next Tuesday by acting head of marketing David Allen says: "In terms of efficiency, decisiveness, caring about York citizens, knowing where it's going and providing a good service given the money available, more residents continued to view the council positively than viewed it negatively."

Refuse collection was the service residents selected as done "particularly well" (62 per cent), followed by libraries (44 per cent), street lighting (41 per cent), park and ride (39 per cent) and adult education facilities (38 per cent).

Mr Allen says the survey suggests over half York residents would accept a Council Tax increase for the coming financial year, only seven per cent favouring a cut in tax and correspondingly in services.

Council leader Rod Hills said: "We are encouraged by the latest findings and while we recognise continuing concern over issues such as crime, traffic congestion, the condition of footpaths and unemployment we have already launched several initiatives to tackle such problems.

"We will continue to work hard to listen to residents' concerns."

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