DELIVERY vehicles are struggling to get to grips with congestion charging in London, a new report reveals.

The study, issued by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), provides a portent of things to come should road tolls ever be introduced in York.

It reveals that companies in the capital are paying high costs, suffering time-wasting and administration expenses, without enjoying speedier deliveries.

Congestion charging was meant to make it easier for goods vehicles as busy streets became clearer allowing deliverers to become more efficient.

But the FTA survey, which spoke to 6,000 operators, revealed that complaints were rife about accounting problems, delays in registering vehicles, the kind of vehicles classed as deliverers and traffic conditions, which were not improved within the charge zone.

City of York Council is one of many authorities monitoring the situation in London before making a decision on whether to introduce congestion charges themselves.

Early morning visitors to York cannot fail to be struck by the huge number of delivery vehicles crowded on narrow city streets.

Although traffic congestion in York has declined over the past year, roads are often blocked with traffic during peak hours.

Last month, the council introduced an innovative car-share scheme, designed to cut traffic levels even further.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's executive member for transport, suggested that the success of such schemes may even make redundant the idea of congestion charging.

Today she said: "Like all major cities, we are looking at the London project, but before we even consider congestion charging in York we would go to public consultation.

"It is about what the people of York want and if people want to pass on comments about congestion charging then we would only be too pleased to listen."

FTA's London and South Eastern director, Sue Moody, said: "FTA has consistently campaigned for delivery vehicles to be excluded from the scheme since it has no choice but to operate in the zone.

"The first FTA survey, since the scheme went live, confirms our forecast of a substantial operating and financial cost on industry with no resulting benefits for delivery vehicles."

Updated: 09:13 Friday, April 04, 2003