COUNCIL chiefs have been urged to take action now to avoid the threat of "gridlock" when York hosts Royal Ascot in 2005.

Councillor Ruth Potter will present a motion to next Tuesday's full City of York Council meeting asking how issues of traffic, anti-social behaviour and littering will be dealt with when the five-day meeting arrives at Knavesmire.

Coun Potter wants the executive member for planning and transport to consult and develop a paper, reassuring York residents who live near the racecourse that "their quality of life will not suffer during the event".

York Races staff are already planning ahead and looking at the issues needed to deal with the expected crowds of race-goers who are set to attend the prestigious meeting.

The Heworth Labour councillor's motion welcomes the Ascot news and "wishes all well in this great boast for the city". But she adds that there are "major" local concerns over the traffic impact and the effect on local amenities.

Coun Potter has asked for the report to be brought to December's planning, transport and environment meeting, with recommendations as to how issues will be dealt with on ordinary race days in the future.

As many as 350,000 people could flock to Knavesmire when royalty and racegoers arrive in York while Ascot undergoes a massive renovation. It is not yet clear whether the meeting will arrive in 2005 or 2006, with Ascot officials waiting for approval from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott before embarking on their new £180 million grandstand.

Should the motion be passed, council chiefs will hope that arguably the city's biggest-ever sporting event will pass off without incident.

Coun Potter's concerns were raised following last month's three-day Ebor meeting, when there were limited disturbances and littering in and around the city centre and racecourse.

Peter Evely, the council's highways chief, told the Evening Press: "There will be a report to the executive before the end of the financial year with full details of the plans.

"We are currently working those schemes up, but at this stage it is too early to give any comments as to the directions."

Updated: 08:40 Wednesday, September 03, 2003