YORK could develop a Metro-style rail system in an effort to entice even more people out of their cars and on to public transport.

Council chiefs today confirmed they were looking at the possibilities of introducing an ultra-light rail system into the city.

The news came as York was awarded nearly £8 million by the Government to bring forward a package of local transport improvements.

The award, of £7.9 million, will be spent on the council's £50 million Local Transport Plan. City residents can expect to see further developments in Park&Ride, bus priority measures and new cycle routes.

But it is the idea of introducing new innovative transport schemes, such as a mass transit system, that will draw the most attention.

Bill Woolley, the council's assistant director for transport, environment and development, said the transformation of the "teardrop" site behind York station required a "radical" change from conventional transport systems.

He said: "We are looking at an ultra-light rail system as a possibility. It is not something that would be done in the next year or two, but it would be less than ten.

"We are also looking at linking any system with the Harrogate railway line and with the York to Scarborough line.

"We have already had a consultants report looking at this and we want to do more work on it."

Mr Woolley said the Newcastle to Sunderland Metro system, a rail system which uses new rail and existing track, was one the models the council was considering.

He added: "This would require a major capital investment but it would be a truly integrated transport system.

"The beauty is that you can use existing infrastructure and create new infrastructure to run it through the town centre."

The consideration of ultra light rail is a further continuation of the council's commitment to reducing congestion in the city centre.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's executive member for transport, said the £8 million handed out by the Government was a "huge vote of confidence" for the city's policies.

Whitehall has highlighted York as one of Britain's best transport authorities and has praised its work on Park&Ride and pedestrian schemes.

There was also transport cash joy in the rest of the region as North Yorkshire was awarded £26.4 million. East Yorkshire also received £10.8 million.

Updated: 12:32 Wednesday, December 11, 2002