BETTER public transport in the county will always be the preferred option to more road building, according to County Hall.

John Hobbs, director of environmental services in Worcestershire, has produced a report warning "major investment" is needed to our bus and rail services in future years.

He has given out a strong message that County Hall will give it everything to unlock the door to future Government millions to invest in better transport.

Mr Hobbs said: "Since the 1980s, there has been a shift away from highways building as a solution to congestion, and a move towards investing in more sustainable forms of transport.

"I regard it as our job to open the door to funding for this transport, and it would be negligent not to do so.

"It is clear that major investment in Worcester's transport network will be required to allow the city to meet the demands made upon it through its designation as a sub-regional focus within the RSS (Regional Spatial Strategy).

"Worcester has taken a lead nationally as a pilot town for sustainable travel and has achieved a lot in reducing car use in favour of public transport, but there is more to do."

Mr Hobbs is currently drawing up separate transport strategies for Worcester, Wyre Forest and Worcestershire.

All three strategies will be used to bid for millions of pounds of investment from the Government to reduce the dependency on car use.

The cabinet at County Hall has endorsed a report recommending it draw up detailed bids on how to improve transport in Worcestershire, while the city council has pledged to support it too.

Dr George Lord, leader of the county council, said: "I would agree that sustainable transport is a key factor for the county. We need to focus on that when we make bids for Government funding."