A NEW drive to cut congestion in Worcester is kicking off - with a former city council leader saying the need for a solution is "ever more pressing".

Worcester City Council has agreed to start a root-and-branch investigation into how bad the traffic jams are and what can be done to try and appease infuriated motorists.

The investigation will include:

- A raft of evidence-taking sessions with people affected by congestion, including the likes of major city employers, schools, colleges and transport firms

- A look at some of the most notorious parts of the city like the Southern Link Road, Foregate Street, City Walls Road and The Tything to identify congestion trends and see what can help ease the flow of cars

- Research into public transport in the city, including how recent county council cuts to services might impact upon the snarl-ups and what can be done to mitigate it

A new report has been prepared by Councillor Adrian Gregson, the former leader of the city council, who now chairs the watchdog-style scrutiny committee.

A special panel of politicians has been set up, including Conservative Steve Mackay, Labour's deputy group leader Geoff Williams and Tory Derek Prodger, a former mayor who helped launch park and ride in the city.

They have been asked to try and complete their findings by November, which could lead to recommendations being sent to Worcestershire County Council.

Only this week Perdiswell park and ride was closed down as part of £1.6 million of reductions in bus services by the county council.

Cllr Gregson, Labour group leader, said: "There are long held views that congestion is a major problem in Worcester.

"This perspective received greater credence following the publication of a national report naming Worcester as the third worst place for congestion. "

Additionally the closure of the (Perdiswell) park and ride site from September is thought to have implications for increased traffic in the city centre.

"While the impact is on the city and often city council services, the highways function is a county council responsibility, and this too has manifested itself recently in the debate about a second bridge over the River Severn, the work on the Carrington Bridge, dualling the A4440 Southern Link and the potential for the completion of the Northern Link Road.

"In the light of the various developments approved and planned for the city, the need for a proper understanding of the situation is ever more pressing."