YORK'S bid for £50 million to solve its traffic problems has been unveiled - with the prospect of buses every ten minutes on main routes.

The scheme also proposes three new park and ride sites, including one in the A59 corridor, and improvements to outer ring road junctions.

The first five-year Local Transport Plan, to be submitted to the Government by the end of the month, also includes four new commuter rail stations at Haxby, Strensall, York District Hospital and Copmanthorpe, a series of bus priority measures, new cycle and pedestrian routes, and other initiatives.

But the prospect of charges for motorists to enter the city looks some way off.

Coun Dave Merrett, City of York Council executive member for planning, transport and the environment, said there had been an "enormous degree of involvement from York residents" in preparing the plan.

"Out of that there was a very clear view that York needs to be taking measures towards the more radical end of the spectrum we offered," he added, with a £7 million and £10 million option to curb traffic increases.

That consultation also showed a small majority in favour of investigating charges for motorists if other funding sources failed to meet its transport needs. Coun Merrett said technically workplace parking charges could be introduced within the plan period.

"But that's not our intention," he said, adding if they proceeded they would have to investigate "the pros and cons" and would consult with residents and businesses before any decision. "That's an absolutely firm commitment as far as my party is concerned," he said.

Three new park and ride sites are included in the plan - those at Monks Cross and the Naburn Designer Outlet have already been publicly aired, but the unveiling was the first confirmation that the third was planned for the A59 corridor.

Asked if that might prove controversial, Coun Merrett said they knew the corridors they needed to serve, but had not picked specific sites.

"I hope with the co-operation of York residents we will find the most sensible solution possible for each of these sites," said Coun Merrett, adding the A59 one was right at the end of the plan, giving time for public involvement.

A central plank of the plan is to create with First York a "Metro" of high speed, high frequency bus services in and out of the city centre.

Principal transport planner Martin Revill said the details of the routes had not been discussed, but they would probably link the four existing park and ride sites, and serve Haxby and Wigginton, Foxwood, Acomb and Tang Hall.

Coun Merrett said: "The programme has some very positive things for all York residents."