HARD work to tackle congestion in York saw the city's council scoop a national transport award.

City of York Council was named Local Transport Authority of the Year at a glittering awards ceremony in London, last night.

Organised by the Centre For Transport Policy, the National Transport Awards celebrated York's success in pegging back traffic levels while increasing bus use and pedestrian and cycle journeys.

York, which is already a centre of excellence for transport, beat competition from Sheffield and Durham to win the prize.

Bill Woolley, assistant director for city development and transport, said: "This is the culmination of many years of work, with last year being highly successful for transport in York, with traffic levels continuing to fall, and significant increases in the Park&Ride journeys, bus use and pedestrian trips."

Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the city has won this award.

"It means that all the hard work carried out by officers has been recognised at a national level and we will be looking to build on this in the future."

York was visited last month by a panel of judges who toured some of the projects carried out in the city as part of the five-year Local Transport Plan. York is at the forefront of introducing a hi-tech urban management control system and aims to provide real-time information across the city's bus network.

All the projects aim to tackle the congestion prevalent in York's medieval streets.

The council's transport vision is to cut congestion and increase levels of walking, cycling and public transport.

Updated: 10:46 Friday, June 06, 2003