INTEGRATED transport schemes in York are hindered by the public perception that they are "anti-car", a new report reveals.

A progress report into City of York Council's local transport plan claims that schemes are being delayed because the authority has to spend more time reassuring residents in consultation.

The report hails the last 12 months as "hugely successful for York's transport policy".

It reveals that traffic levels have fallen while Park&Ride patronage, bus use and pedestrian trips have all risen substantially.

Cycling levels also remained high in York, while declining across the UK as a whole.

Of the £20 million ploughed into traffic initiatives in York, £12 million was invested by bus operators - including First's £11 million Metro timetable.

Overall, planners estimate that more than a million cars were kept out of the city centre by extra Park&Ride parking.

Yet the report - which will be considered at a council urgency committee meeting tonight - also claims that progress in implementing the plan is being hindered by a shortage of suitably skilled transport planners, by revenue shortages and a feeling among York people that integrated transport schemes are "anti-car".

It states: "We have a conundrum in that people still demand reductions in traffic and the associated environmental benefits, but are less willing to accept the measures necessary to achieve them.

"The result is that we have to spend more time in the consultation process which delays scheme delivery and increases cost."

After the meeting, the report will be submitted to the Department of Transport.

It will determine how much cash the council is given for next year's implementation of the authority's capital programme.

Dan Johnson, the council's principal transport planner, said: "The progress report demonstrates that traffic levels are falling in the city, while cycling levels remain comparatively high.

"The levels of walking are increasing dramatically and that has to be good news for York.

"We hope investment will continue and it is likely to increase through development in the city in the coming years."

Updated: 08:26 Tuesday, July 16, 2002