TOWNS and cities could have a dramatic effect on inner-city congestion simply by making it easier to park. While congestion charging and workplace parking charges are being pushed forward by the Government as ways for councils to discourage traffic, Appian Traffic Technologies says providing better information on available spaces in car parks could be the solution.

It claims up to 30% of the traffic in city centres is accounted for by drivers searching for parking spaces. It has already supplied a system for Bristol City Council covering 3,000 spaces. Glasgow City Council has just signed a deal worth more than £200,000 for the system to cover four car parks and 4,000 spaces.

A spokesman for ATT, based in Dublin, said: 'This initiative will make a major contribution to the reduction of traffic problems in Glasgow. The new system will inform drivers in real-time of the number of available spaces to assist in the reduction of congestion.'