TRAFFIC chiefs have pledged to put the brakes on Southampton's spiralling transport problems - but say more money is needed to cure the crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott told the Daily Echo he would be looking at the city council's bid to sort out the problems, after a government survey found Southampton suffers the worst rush-hour traffic jams in the country outside London.

The £40 million city bid was put in under the government's £180 billion scheme to improve Britain's transport network. But Paul Russell, chairman of the highways panel, and part of the team that made the bid, said the government's cash pot was not large enough.

Mr Russell said: "I am more than surprised at the survey as I knew it was pretty bad here but thought it was just like any other major city.

"We are looking at park-and-ride schemes which should be in place in 18 months in both the east and west of the city and improving links with public transport.

"Other ideas are dedicated bus lanes that come right into the city and more cycle lanes. It will be an enormous task and I don't believe the amount of money the government has put aside is even nearly enough for what is needed.

"It's just a drop in the ocean."

Mr Russell added that the imminent opening of the West Quay shopping centre would attract even more traffic.

The study found motorists are spending half their rush-hour journeys crawling along at 10 miles per hour.

AA regional spokeswoman Rebecca Rees said she was not surprised at the survey.

"It's certainly a problem area as all cities are, and the South of England has some of the worst congestion in the country outside London," she said.

"I think it's fair to say that in Southampton there is residential traffic, commuter traffic and dock traffic -- it's one big mix of people and vehicles which all adds to the problem."

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