A CONGESTION-busting scheme in York has been hailed as a remarkable success by traffic experts.

Over 240 homes in the city took part in the Intelligent Travel project, which aims to persuade families to walk, cycle and use buses to get about, rather than take the car.

Results of the 12-month trial show that car use by the participants fell by 16 per cent and the total number of miles driven was reduced by an average of 28 per cent.

City of York Council traffic planners say that could mean 15,000 fewer cars on the city's roads, if half of York's population took part in a similar scheme.

The trial was co-ordinated by the council and the Stockholm Environment Institute, based at the University of York. It is based on successful schemes in Australia and Germany.

Project leader Professor John Whitelegg said: "The drop in car use in York is very significant indeed. It shows that we can solve transport problems, especially those linked to congestion, noise and pollution."

Participants were offered incentives including pedometers, cycle maps and bus passes to encourage them to try alternative forms of transport.

Experts recorded a ten per cent increase in walking trips, a one per cent increase in cycling trips and a five per cent increase in bus use.

Professor Whitelegg said: "If we rolled the project out to cover several thousands of York's residents, we could make a significant contribution to eliminating traffic congestion and making York a world leader in transport innovation."

Dan Johnson, the council's principal transport planner, said: "The success of the Intelligent Travel project lies in the fact that it is positive about walking, cycling and travelling by bus, rather than being anti-car."

He said the council was keen to find external funding to carry out similar schemes in the future.

Updated: 08:31 Wednesday, September 08, 2004