MOTORISTS would be steered toward a Hereford park and ride scheme by a big hike in city centre parking charges.

But buses running to and from the projected park and ride sites would have a fast track ride through city traffic under a scheme that could come on-stream by spring 2007 - if funding is found.

Richard Ball, transportation manager for Herefordshire Council, told the transport plan seminar that 10 sites had been looked at as likely bases for the scheme.

The 10 would be whittled down to seven -- three to the north of the city and four to the south - before work on park and ride began in earnest.

Mr Ball said that legal advice stopped him being specific about where the sites were in case buying land was compromised.

Initial indications of demand meant the scheme would have to offer around 1,500 spaces over at least three sites, mainly for traffic using the A49, said Mr Ball.

Each site would cost around £800,000 to set up.

The seminar heard that increased parking charges in the city centre would be used to encourage motorists to use the buses.

Measures to make sure those buses had a fast track through traffic on priority lanes were part of the plan.

Better public transport in both Hereford and the parishes is among the key aims of the plan.

Councillor Anna Toon said any idea based around buses would have to woo back would-be passengers who had "given up" on public transport in Herefordshire.

More and more families were buying cars and converting lawns to drives so they could make their own way, she said.

Councillor Peter Jones said that the projected number of park and ride spaces might not be enough with car use in the county "exploding out of hand".