NEARLY one in three people in Greater Manchester never uses public transport - and the same proportion would stick to their cars even if the cost increased.

A new survey found just seven per cent of people used public transport every day.

Thirty-one per cent said they never used public transport and 55 per cent said the car was their favoured mode of transport.

Eleven per cent said in the North West Regional Assembly survey that they preferred to walk but only one per cent said they preferred to cycle.

Thirty-one per cent said they would continue to use their car even if the costs of motoring increase - casting doubt on whether the proposed Greater Manchester congestion charge would ease jams around the region.

The survey was carried out to coincide with the NWRA's Can the Can week which, in turn, is part of a Europeanobility week.

Only eight per cent of people living in Greater Manchester said they were concerned for the environment and would leave the car at home if it meant reducing their carbon footprint.

Eight per cent said they would use public transport if it gave them more free time, while 16 per cent said they would do so if it saved them money.

One in five (21 per cent) said they would ditch the car if trams, trains and buses were more reliable.

Michael Gallagher, director of transport for the NWRA, said he hoped the study would provoke debate about how people could be encouraged to use more public transport.

He said: "Cars are one of the biggest producers of greenhouse gasses and everyone should be looking at how they can reduce their share of emissions.

"The point of our research is not to tell people how to live their lives but to give us an insight into their transport habits and what their attitudes are towards public transport.

"We can then hold an informed debate about how we take the transport of this region forwards, improve the quality of life for everyone and reduce congestion and pollution."