LAST week saw the launch of Worcester City Council's Sustainable Travel Town Project.

As a first step, in conjunction with National Bike Week, the project will be offering £5,000 in cash prizes to the city's schools, colleges and companies who take active steps to encourage their students and employees to either bike or walk to work.

Anybody who attempts to travel through Worcester by car during rush hour will have realised that the city is facing gridlock. Much of this traffic consists of local people travelling short distances either to work or on the school run.

Fifty years of unremitting road building and car park provision within the city has done little beyond fuelling greater car use.

We must seek an alternative transport solution; one that helps to promote a pleasant working and living environment for the people of this city.

Provision of a network of safe cycle paths, together with pavements uncluttered by parked cars, would make either cycling or walking into town a pleasant and efficient alternative to commuting by car.The city council's project represents a positive and innovative step towards this goal, and deserves the full support of Worcester's residents, business community and students.

DR JAMES ROBERTS,

Transport Spokesperson,

Worcester Green Party.