The battle of the rising bollards has been won - at least for now. But how to beat York's traffic? STEPHEN LEWIS checks out queue-jumping shortcuts for diehard motorists.

THE banishing of the Straylands Grove bollard is a victory for those who think roads are there for driving on. It's an acknowledgement that there is really no such thing as a "rat-run".

That argument was put persuasively by anti-bollard campaigners, some whom lived in the very streets that would have supposedly benefited from the bollard. Some roads are major routes. Others pass through residential areas. But all are paid for by taxes, they argued, and motorists who pay their road tax have every right to use them.

While anti-bollard protesters are celebrating, their victory does nothing to solve the problem of what to do about York's traffic.

One solution is to attempt to reduce the number of cars driving in York city centre.

On the opposite page, green transport guru Anna Semlyen suggests ten ways in which we can all help to do that.

For those who just want to get from A-B as quickly as possible without spending hours stuck in traffic queues, however, who better to turn to for advice than a cabbie?

Richard Jackson drives a private hire car for a living and he knows many of the best short-cuts and queue-dodging routes around York.

The places to avoid, especially at rush-hour, are the big traffic light-controlled junctions leading into the city centre, he says - Bootham, Blossom Street, Lawrence Street/Barbican Road and Fishergate.

You will not always be able to avoid them, he admits. "If you want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, you're not going to be able to beat the system."

But most of the time, with a little creative thinking - and driving a bit further to avoid the queues or the lights - you should be able to navigate around the city reasonably quickly, he says.

Here are five of Richard's favourite 'short cuts'.

Cabbie Richard's top short cuts

Hull Road to the town centre, avoiding Lawrence Street

When driving into town along Hull Road, Richard likes to take a left on to Green Dykes Lane as though heading towards the university, and then turn right along Thief Lane and Heslington Road. This brings you out on to Cemetery Road. Go straight across along Kent Street and you'll join the Fishergate gyratory. Not ideal, Richard admits - but better than sitting in the traffic lights where Lawrence Street meets Walmgate Bar.

Driving along Thief Lane you need to take particular care, he warns, because of the primary school. There are also many road humps. Heslington Road is quite narrow and has parking on both sides, so be careful there, too - especially if there is a bus coming the other way. But it still beats those Lawrence Street lights.

Fulford to Tang Hall or Badger Hill, avoiding Fishergate

Fishergate and the gyratory can be a nightmare at rush hour, Richard says. If he's coming from Fulford, he likes to head out along Heslington Lane or Broadway towards the university. For Tang Hall, you then cut back along University Road and Green Dykes Lane. If you're heading for Badger Hill or the A1079, meanwhile, instead of turning on to University Road when you reach Heslington, you carry straight on along Field Lane.

Heworth to Huntington

You want to try to avoid being drawn in towards the inner ring road, Richard says. A favourite route of his from East Parade is to turn north along narrow Eastern Terrace. At the end you turn left on to Heworth Green, then quickly right again on to Dodsworth Avenue. Follow this right to the end, turn right on to Fossway, and it brings you to Huntington Road.

City centre to Clifton and Shipton Road, avoiding Bootham

Bootham has to be avoided at all costs, Richard says - unless it's the middle of the night. Head out of York along Wigginton Road, past the hospital, then turn left across the rail bridge on to Crichton Avenue. Turn left again on to Burton Stone Lane and follow it right down to the end. It brings you out at Clifton almost opposite St Peter's School. It's a long way round, but worth it at rush hour when traffic at Bootham will have ground to a halt.

Tadcaster Road to city centre, avoiding Blossom Street and Skeldergate Bridge

"Cheating your way into town," Richard calls it. As you come up Tadcaster Road to The Mount, turn right into Scarcroft Road. Just over half way along, turn left into Upper Price Street, then right into St Benedict Road. Follow this around until it lets you out on to Nunnery Lane. There you will have to follow the one-way system, turning left at first, then doubling sharply back down Prices Lane to Bishopgate. There, instead of turning left towards Skeldergate Bridge, go straight across and down Clementhorpe to Terry Avenue on the bank of the River Ouse. Turn left and follow this under Skeldergate Bridge and straight into Skeldergate.

...Or you could always walk, cycle or take the bus instead

Anna Semlyen suggests ten ways to become a green traveller.

Don't travel if you could stay still or make fewer, shorter trips.

Moving around less is safe, green, convenient and cheap.

After all travel isn't a finished product - just sometimes necessary in getting what we want. Strategies include carefully checking what you have and being imaginative about the alternatives. Prevent duplication by borrowing, repair or reuse. Or else wait or invite people, goods or work to where you'll be anyway.

Direct-to-you and pick-up services are growing. I enjoy home shopping and hairdressing. My childminder picks up from school.

Make your request by post, phone, text, email, web, fax or direct debit.

Other solutions include delivery, collection, working at home, home shopping, courier services, home exercise or making it at home. Teleworking and web conferencing are the hi-tech answers.

Flexitime and compressed working hours are so helpful here. Could you work longer shifts on fewer days, or part-time and cut commuting?

Go for proximity. Choose nearby outlets with local goods and services. Walking or cycling can only replace a car by doing most activities close to home. Sometimes waiting and linking reasons for travel in order to accomplish jobs in a round trip will cut mileage. Gathering wherever most people are or at a midway meeting place is also efficient. Thinking ahead about what you will need and having a 'to get' list reduces urgent trips.

Journey planning ensures you a more direct or pleasanter, safer route, ideally at off peak times and in the light for safety. Walkers and cyclists can choose quieter routes. A cycle map helps avoid traffic, busy

right turns or hills.

Knowing the way also avoids wasted miles from getting lost or waiting time from timetable gaps. Here is a great new personalised planner for any travel mode - www.transportdirect.info. Cycle maps are available from most cycle shops or see www.york.gov.uk/cycling. York bus info can be found on 01904 551400. The National Traveline number is 0870 608 2 608, while rail enquiries can be found on 08457 484950.

Go the lightest way. Cut fossil energy use by using your feet, bicycle or by being a passenger in a vehicle going in your direction, for example car share, Park & Ride or other public transport vehicle. Cycle training could boost your confidence. Call 01904 551646.

See www.carshareyork.com to register as a car share driver or passenger.

Sharing benefits everyone. You'll pocket the fuel costs as well as those of wear and tear or depreciation - at least 20p a mile even before savings in parking.

When there is a choice, pick the vehicle with the best fuel efficiency, often the smallest. When it opens, York's car club will benefit from choice. Users will pay as they drive instead of owning a car. Write to Car Club survey, City of York Council DEDS Freepost, YO239 York Y01 7ZZ to express your interest.

Mix it. Exercise by going part way on foot or by bicycle. Electric bikes mix human with power assisted movement. Or use a moped. Lock it and switch to public transport or lift share. Waiting areas specifically for lift sharers are available in Gloucestershire's Park & Ride sites.

Slower speeds. An anticipatory, smooth driving style is both safer and greener. It also saves on spares. Aim to go below the limit in town where 20mph is plenty. 40-60 mph gives best fuel efficiency on faster roads.

Improve energy efficiency. Reduce drag by removing a roofrack, keeping windows closed and removing excess weight. Drive off straight away. Turn the engine off if you expect to wait for more than 10 seconds. Alternative fuels give cheaper rides as does turning off air conditioning.

Regular maintenance will keep the engine tuned. Inflating tyres to the

correct pressure can reduce emissions by five per cent.

When changing your car, share ownership or join a car club. Car Plus: www.carplus.org.uk offer advice. Opt for a small car e.g. a Smart Car and trailer. Cars with low emissions save on road tax as do those with dual or alternative fuels. Responsibly dispose of any unwanted vehicle.

Enjoy the benefits. If you spend less time and money on travel, you'll have more for yourself. British households spend £1 in every £6 on motoring, more than on food or housing. You'll also be fitter.

Personal traffic reduction measures offer really worthwhile results. Do persevere and we'll all enjoy a better quality of life.

Anna Semlyen is the author of Cutting Your Car Use (www.cuttingyourcaruse.co.uk, £3.95)

Updated: 08:55 Friday, April 08, 2005