COMPANY car drivers who make a solo journey to work in Leeds could face increased congestion after the city council announced new measures to encourage car-sharing. The decision to ban driver-only cars and vans from a section of busy dual-carriageway has been branded unworkable by the AA.

Details of the Leeds City Council scheme came as transport minister Gavin Strang announced a review of bus services, which could result in cars being outlawed from some city centre roads to make room for special bus routes. The minister said existing bus lanes were not enough to reduce journey times but the new measure could encourage use of public transport by preventing the problems of buses getting stuck behind cars.

Leeds already has its own 'busway' initiative, but from January will also restrict one lane of a stretch of the A647 to cars and vans with more than one occupant, public transport vehicles, motorcycles and pedal cycles - enforced by police motorcycle patrols.