GRIDLOCKED York could be freed by dualling sections of the A1237 or by creating a new ring road relief route, the city's top councillor has said.

City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said the solutions to York's traffic problems were "many and varied".

But he said the key northern ring road, the scene of daily congestion, was likely to be at the centre of the road improvements.

Coun Galloway was speaking after the publication of a new transport planning report, drawn up to inform councillors about key issues affecting future transport planning.

The report reveals that 35 per cent of city traffic has no "origin or destination" in the centre.

It also states that 45 per cent of the northern ring road traffic is going to either the Monk's Cross or Clifton Moor retail parks.

The relief road possibility has its origins in a Department of Transport study into the Clifton Moor area, carried out in the late 1990s.

Coun Galloway said: "There are many ideas in the melting pot. We have got a blank sheet of paper at the moment. Dualling (of the ring road) is one possibility, but what is more likely in the short-term is selective dualling, major improvements at junctions and bigger roundabouts."

Coun Galloway said the council would also continue its efforts to encourage the use low of emission vehicles.

He has already stated the city's Park&Ride system remains a "very important" part of transport policy.

But he added: "We believe there should be a choice available for people in terms of transport modes."

Labour transport spokeswoman Tracey Simpson-Laing called for the Liberal Democrats to look further than "digging up green fields".

She said dualling could also be held up by a public inquiry.

She said: "Systems such as trams, trolley buses are all working in other cities. Car sharing could be encouraged further.

"It is strange that the Liberals said their policy was protecting the green belt from housing, but now they are talking about digging it up for roads."

Green Party councillor Mark Hill said he would strongly oppose any road-building plans.

He claimed the bulk of Liberal Democrat support came from areas of high car ownership.

"We are not surprised they are pandering to the private motorist," he said.

Coun Hill said York's development growth had to be watched more carefully.

Updated: 10:42 Tuesday, October 14, 2003