LANCASTER'S MP Hilton Dawson has organised a special public meeting to discuss ways of improving the district's transport problems - and everyone's invited.

High on the agenda will be measures to improve the rush hour gridlock, including developing safe routes to school, green commuting, radical improvements to bus services railways, freight and cycling and walking.

Hilton controversially dismissed calls for the Western Bypass recently, after supporting it for more than four years, but having returned from a fact-finding mission in Angola, he has this week called for the "real debate" to begin.

Hilton says: "I am sure that there is a huge consensus about the need to deal with Lancaster's traffic problems and a lot of interest in addressing the real issues involved when we travel around the city. There are some really interesting ideas around but they are not the preserve of particular individuals or political parties. I want to build a coalition of local people who are interested in developing transport solutions which improve our quality of life, which promote access, which support business and entrepreneurial flair and which add to the distinct character of Lancaster. Everyone is welcome to share ideas and to join in what should be a really stimulating discussion instead of the tired old squabbles about a road."

There will be no discussion of the Western Bypass at the meeting at Lancaster Town Hall, on Friday, September 28, at 7.30pm but Hilton will be holding a special session on the following afternoon, Saturday, September 29 at 2.30pm at the United Reform Church Hall on Middle Street to discuss his reasons for now regarding the Western Bypass as unworkable and insupportable.