TODAY sees the launch of our petition urging the Government to back York's proposed bid for £160 million that could be used to dual some of the congested outer ring road.

We are encouraging readers to complete and return our Access York petition, which is also appealing to the Government to throw its weight behind the city's planned bid for cash to fund three new Park&Ride sites.

The Press's campaign - aimed at beating congestion in the city - is also calling on the Government to support a proposed Highways Agency bid for funding to upgrade the Hopgrove Roundabout.

City of York Council leader Coun Steve Galloway said in terms of the outer ring road the cash would be spent first on upgrading particular junctions on it.

He said the three new Park&Ride sites would be at Askham Bar, on the A59 at Poppleton and in Wigginton Road.

Labour's transport spokeswoman Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing said: "I am sure The Press's campaign will ensure that the voice of York's residents is heard.

"There are a number of aspects of the Access York bid that I believe are long overdue for York, particularly the two new Park&Rides that Labour planned in the first local transport plan and the relocation and increase in size of a third site.

"Other aspects will also help residents make future choices in their mode of transport choice, and any suggested improvements to the outer ring road which must address pedestrian and cycle crossing. I hope that discussions with Government go well."

She said the council's traffic scrutiny committee was seeking funding to pay for a consultation with York residents on their travel requirements.

It would also advise them of "future choices and probabilities," she said.

The news comes as York Green Party leader Coun Andy D'Agorne revealed he would press council officers to introduce a pilot 20mph zone in Fishergate - if a consultation came out in favour of such a move.

Coun D'Agorne said the consultation on whether he should push for the zone, which would be in Grange Garth and Grange Street, was set to go out to residents later this year.

"The point is that the speed limit is a maximum limit and what we want to do is try and bring in a culture of speed that's appropriate for conditions, rather than people just thinking about what the speed limit is," he said.