A BLUEPRINT for the future of traffic management in Northallerton has been produced following a major public consultation exercise.

The scheme has been designed by North Yorkshire County Council and targets key congestion hot spots, such as Low Gates level crossing and the High Street.

Nearly 2,000 people responded to a questionnaire sent to homes and businesses in August. The views given have helped to create the Northallerton Traffic Management Strategy.

Chris Millns, head of environmental enhancement at the council, said: "The aim of the strategy is to look across the broader range of issues relating to pedestrians, cyclists, transport issues and car parking."

One proposal is to remove the roundabout at the junction of the High Street with Friarage Street and the Applegarth car park and put up traffic lights.

The taxi rank near the town hall would be moved to the other side of the High Street and right turns from the High Street into Romanby Road would be banned. Romanby Road would be made one-way.

One of the most controversial proposals is for a bridge to be built over the Low Gates level crossing on Darlington Road. Hambleton District Councillors say this would be detrimental to the town and cause access problems to sites earmarked for development.

They also said it could jeopardise any plans for a Northallerton bypass. But 89 per cent who responded to the questionnaire were in favour of a bridge, which would cost about £5m.

Mr Millns said: "It is very difficult to see any other solution at Low Gates. The scheme that we had been looking at in conjunction with the Strategic Rail Authority involved a bridge but that is difficult in itself because it is a very expensive project. Also we have to very carefully minimise the impact on land and property in the vicinity."

The strategy goes before the county committee for Hambleton on December 1 and then more detailed plans will be drawn up.