PLANS to make a busy street one-way could be scrapped next week following objections from residents.

Council officers wanted to impose the plan on Romanby Road, Northallerton, with traffic entering it from the High Street.

The aim was to reduce queues of traffic on the High Street and at the library roundabout. But residents and businesses said the plans would cause problems.

The Allertonshire Civic Society said it would put more pressure on other streets, particularly with large lorries and delivery vehicles trying to reach the auction mart.

Northallerton Town Council said the one-way idea was unworkable because of the high volume of traffic using Romanby Road to get to the High Street.

The proposal is part of a traffic management strategy for Northallerton being put together by the county council.

Officers have recommended that the plans for Romanby Road should be scrapped. Councillors will consider the project next week.

Mike Moore, corporate director of environmental services, said: "Deferring the proposed one- way section on Romanby Road will address the concerns of those objectors who were worried about the extended route which would need to be followed from Romanby Road to the northern end of the town."

Plans to reverse the one-way system on the Applegarth car park service road look likely to be introduced for an 18-month experimental period.

Mr Moore said: "Presently, at peak times, because there is only one exit from the car park, there can be substantial queues of traffic and long delays for motorists."

In Thirsk, the town council has voiced strong objections to making the remaining part of Millgate, which at present is open to two-way traffic, into a one-way system. The county council wants to stop traffic turning right from the cobbled car parking spaces.

Mr Moore said: "The effect of the proposed changes will be to reduce the risk of accidents."

But town councillors say the scheme will cause bottlenecks at other junctions.