Easing traffic congestion is one of the great problems of our times. An idea like the one just announced to extend the Spen Valley Greenway cycle track as part of a long-term scheme to link it to the Aire Valley is excellent in its own way. However, it will make only a small dint in the volume of vehicles cluttering up the roads. The number of people who are willing and able to abandon their cars in favour of two wheels and pedal power in a hilly district like this is unlikely ever to be substantial.

The best way of persuading people to leave their own personal motorised transport at home is to woo them with a public-transport alternative which is comfortable, reliable and reasonably priced. The trains in West Yorkshire have not recently been up to that challenge thanks to a shortage of drivers last year, inadequate rolling stock and a long-running dispute with the unions over pay and conditions.

Yet there is a clear demand for rail travel. People really do want to let the train take the strain rather than spend frustrating time at the beginning and end of the day sitting in traffic queues. However, there is a limit to the discomfort of overcrowding and the disruption of cancellations they are prepared to put up with.

They will no doubt be wishing Councillor Ann Ozolins well in her new role as chairman of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority's rail working group. She won't have an easy ride, but if the PTA can't work successfully with the rail companies to sort out the problems, the crisis on the roads can only get worse.