SWINDON Council transport services became the second council depart-ment in the space of a week to get a "good" two-star rating from the Audit Commission.

Government inspec-tors praised the intro-duction of park and ride schemes, the well-managed and secure council car parks, the quality of home-to-school transport and the many bus priority measures.

Director of Inspection Services Jane Wreford said: "We found that the people of Swindon currently receive a good transportation service from the borough coun-cil.

"However, the service would be better if there was a clear and consis-tent strategic direction to follow and if there was better integration of work between depart-ments."

She said the council had no clear plans on how to: improve car parks, provide online travel information and develop licensing policies to ensure there are sufficient taxis.

Council lead member of transport and environ-ment Kevin Small (Western, Lab) said: "This is a tremendous achievement for a town whose population is increasing by some 2,000 a year."

On Tuesday it was revealed that the council crime and disorder team had also received a two-star rating placing it second top throughout the country.

Audit commission ratings vary from zero stars, meaning poor, to three stars, or the best which is excellent.

In May Swindon Council social services department received a zero star rating placing it in the bottom 10 local authorities in the country.