FIVE closed circuit television cameras are to be installed to ease congestion and improve road safety in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Harrogate Borough Council has announced that £210,100 is being spent on the cameras for some of the busiest roads in area, amid growing concerns about peak time traffic gridlock.

The cameras will be installed in Harrogate on Ripon Road, the Otley Road and Cold Bath Road junction, the Empress roundabout at Knaresborough Road and the Station Parade and York Place junction.

In Knaresborough, one will be installed at Bond End.

Meanwhile, an existing camera will be moved from York Place to Wetherby Road, in Harrogate.

Cabinet member for public works Councillor Julian Sturdy, who approved the investment, said: "With ever-increasing car ownership and little possibility of much needed bypasses, there is growing concern about congestion on major distributor roads.

"We are working with North Yorkshire County Council to come to some conclusions about what can be done in the long term. We have to take action to try and manage traffic congestion at peak times."

Coun Sturdy said one of the best ways to tackle the issue was to maximise use of the council's traffic control system using closed circuit cameras.

The cameras will also be used for security surveillance.

Cash has come from the Local Transport Plan which "ring fenced" funding for safety schemes to reduce accidents. Other work includes pedestrian safety schemes and improving road markings to help reduce traffic speed.