A NEW traffic scheme in Stokesley has come under fire from the chairman of the parish council.

The scheme, which was approved at the meeting of the County Committee for Hambleton on Monday, will see North Road reduced to a single lane for a distance of 40m.

This is to allow the footpath on the eastern side of North Road to be widened to improve pedestrian access to a new site being developed at the northern end of the road. The development will house a library, offices and a care facility.

A priority traffic system will also be put in place, giving priority to cars coming away from the High Street, and a pedestrian island will be installed at the junction of the High Street and North Road.

Phil Wardle, chairman of the parish council, criticised the scheme and the lack of consulation with residents of the area.

He said: "These measures will cause chaos. The stretch of road to be reduced to a single lane has a bend in it. It's all very well to ask people to give way, but drivers can't do that if they can't see what's coming.

"At a recent public meeting several residents of North Road were concerned that the measures would affect access to their properties, and others who lived on the west side of the road were worried that by widening the footpath on the eastern side, traffic would be pushed closer to their homes.

"The parish council has not been given a chance to debate any of theses traffic measures, despite some serious concerns. We were also told that the new site on North Road would not be built until suitable traffic measures were put in place, but that development is well under way now.

"I feel we should have been given the opportunity to put forward our opinion as to whether these new measures are in fact suitable, but if they have been already approved by the county council there is not much we can do about it.

"I believe the best answer would be to make no changes to the traffic system. In the short term it may cause some difficulties, but introducing these measures will also cause problems.

"If the traffic system is left as it is, people will find their own solutions over time. If drivers find they can't get somewhere via certain routes, they find other ways."

Eddy Hayward, area traffic manager for the county council, said he was aware of some concerns, but the system would be carefully monitored to ensure it worked.

He said: "The scheme is going to be subject to a review, especially the priority system which will be reviewed after six months to see if it's working.

"We do believe these measures are the best way to cope with the traffic in the area, but if we put them in place and can immediately see they are not working we will take steps to rectify any problems."