It may not seem like it, but traffic levels in Winchester have dropped since 1993, according to the county council.

Roadworks may have plagued the city centre but the good news is that it could have been far worse. Traffic levels on the main roads into Winchester have fallen by 8% in nine years.

The reductions are most noticeable in Alresford Road, Andover Road and Worthy Road, but traffic has risen in Chesil Street, St Cross Road and Easton Lane.

Overall, says the county council, traffic levels have dropped by about 1.5%.

Nationally, the increase in traffic over the same period has been 15%, according to a report to Winchester Movement and Access Panel.

County council transport officer, Nick Richardson, said: "People think that traffic is getting worse. There is no evidence to support that. We are keeping the lid on it."

There were signs that the city and county council's policy of wooing people away from their cars may be working with more people are walking in the city.

Passenger usage on two routes, Stanmore-city centre-Harestock and Winnall-city centre-Badger Farm, was up 18% between June and July.

Rail users are increasing steadily in number.

Passengers going through Winchester Station rose from 5,898 a day in 1997 to 6,595 this year. Surprisingly, cycle usage is static despite the money that is being spent on improving cycle routes.