CONTROVERSIAL plans for parking charges in a North Yorkshire town centre are set to be scrapped following a public outcry.

The North Yorkshire County Council's director of environmental services is recommending that a proposal to introduce parking restrictions in Leyburn is rejected.

The move comes after more than 1,000 visitors and locals signed a petition against parking meters or a new disc zone in the town centre.

The majority of responses to a questionnaire on the plans were also against parking restrictions and Leyburn Town Council voted against the move.

Doug Campbell, from Campbell's supermarket in Leyburn, helped collect signatures for the petition.

He said: "I'm very pleased - Leyburn doesn't need parking charges.

"It wasn't broken and so doesn't need fixing. I'm here every day and there are always places for people to park."

Leyburn district councillor Dave Morton believes the county council had seen sense.

He said: "I'm pleased that they've listened to what people had to say and it seems we're not going to have parking charges in the Market Place."

Mike Moore, the county council's corporate director of environmental services, said in a report on the plans: "Regarding the proposals for controlled parking in the Market Place, Commercial Square and Grove Square, these are not supported by Leyburn Town Council.

"Support of Leyburn Town Council and Richmondshire District Council is essential to the delivery of a controlled parking scheme in Leyburn.

"It is recommended therefore that the proposals for controlled parking in Leyburn should not be taken further at this time, but that discussions with the town and district councils should be continued."

Mr Moore is also recommending that plans for a major overhaul of traffic flow, including a new one-way system, are rejected, after both the police and town council objected to the changes.

Less controversial measures that are set to go ahead include a school safety zone on Richmond Road, a 20mph speed limit in the town centre, more cycle paths and improvements to bus stops.

The report will be discussed by the county council's Richmondshire area committee at Thornborough Hall, Leyburn, on Friday, February 25, at 2.30pm.