A MEETING has been held to discuss ways of resolving problems with a road improvement programme in the centre of Ripon.

The roads in the Market Place, Kirkgate, Duck Hill and Minster Road have been re-paved during the past four years as part of a city centre refurbishment.

But some surfaces are crumbling and have deteriorated earlier than expected.

Now solutions are being sought that are in keeping with surroundings and provide a durable surface that requires low maintenance.

The county council has met representatives of the city council, the Chamber of Trade, Ripon Cathedral and the Ripon City Partnership.

The county's director of environmental services, Mike Moore, said the work would involve lifting and re-using the York-stone and concrete paviours.

The surface finish on each of the roads will be similar to the existing finish, but in the case of Market Place South, the proposal is to lay the material in a mortar bed with mortar between the blocks.

The county's executive member for environmental services, John Fort, said: "We are determined that the works will be carried out with minimum disruption to business and the public, and further consultation will be carried out with the representatives to agree the programme."

Phil Povall, manager of the city's Morrisons supermarket, represented the Chamber of Trade at the meeting.

He said: "The council's proposals should not alarm traders because most of the work will be carried out on Sundays and the work benefits the city."