WORK to tackle traffic congestion in Northallerton could start later this year if a £1.2m scheme is approved next week.

The town's traffic management strategy will go before county councillors for final approval on Monday.

If it is given the go-ahead, work to install dropped kerbs, traffic signals and improve junctions will soon get under way.

The strategy was put together following a wide ranging public consultation, with more than 2,000 people giving their views on the town's congestion problems.

Among the measures in the strategy are the banning of right turns from the High Street into Romanby Road, making Romanby Road a one- way street and installing mini-roundabouts at the junctions of Thirsk Road with Racecourse Lane and Mill Hill Lane.

However, there is still no solution for one of Northallerton's worst congestion hot-spots - the Low Gates level crossing, in Darlington Road.

Plans to build a £5m bridge over the crossing have suffered a series of setbacks, with funding from the Strategic Rail Authority becoming more and more unlikely.

Mike Moore, director of environmental services, said: "The county council continues to press the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail for an appropriate scheme to address the problems caused by the frequent closure of the level crossing."

One of the strategy's most controversial suggestions had been to remove the roundabout at the Friarage Street/ High Street/Applegarth junction and install traffic lights.

But council officers have recommended that further investigation be carried out into how to alleviate the problems at the junction.

County Councillor John Coulson, who represents Northallerton east, said: "At one stage I had an awful lot of representations against putting in traffic lights. People did not want to see that happen because they thought it was a focal point and entrance to the market square.

"I am supportive of anything that is going to ease the traffic congestion problem in Northallerton.

"A lot of hard work has gone into this strategy by officers, councillors and the general public, and I think that should be recognised.

"We have all got to work together to make it better."