AMBITIOUS plans to ease congestion and improve safety and air quality on York's roads are to be put before residents.

The city council's planning team will visit ward committees throughout the city this autumn giving presentations on the latest draft Local Transport Plan.

This plan, which will come into force next year and last until 2021, will be unveiled to interested residents' through a DVD showing how the city's transport network could change over the next 15 years.

The key elements of the plan include proposals for sustainable transport and new bus services to build a comprehensive network.

Other projects earmarked for the first five years of the plan include:

Improvements to the outer ring road

Improvements to city centre access for public transport and 'greener' vehicles

Expanding of the Askham Bar Park&Ride site

Filling in key gaps in the pedestrian and cycle network across the city

New safety and speed management measures.

Residents who attend will be able to complete a questionnaire on the draft LTP2 and their views and comments will be used to finalise the document before it is sent to the government for approval.

Julie Hurley, the council's acting head of transport planning, said: "The ward committee process provides us with a unique opportunity to talk directly to local residents.

"As well as getting a chance to see some of the proposals brought to life through the DVD, residents and local interest groups will be able to record their views by completing the questionnaire. The key aims of the draft plan are to improve accessibility, ease congestion and improve air quality and safety on our roads.

"If we do nothing to address these issues, traffic in the city will increase by 27 per cent in the next 15 years so we need to act now to create long-term benefits."

Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport said: "There was an excellent response to our first round of consultation on the 2nd Local Transport Plan, and those views underpin the draft document. We want to ensure that as many residents and organisations as possible are involved in the second part of this process by making their views known.

"York is currently a leading authority in transport and traffic management and we believe that this plan will ensure that we maintain that position."

Anyone wanting a copy of the questionnaire can collect one from council receptions, libraries, leisure centres or by going along to the ward committee meetings. All questionnaires need to be returned by the end of October.

Updated: 10:53 Monday, October 03, 2005