A WIDE-ranging package of options for reorganising the traffic system in Northallerton and easing congestion in the town centre will be presented to councillors next week as a basis for public consultations.

A proposed traffic management strategy for the county town is the result of three workshops held between last November and March this year by officers of North Yorkshire County Council with local members and other interested parties.

The more far-reaching suggestions include replacing the roundabout at the northern end of the High Street with traffic signals to improve safety for pedestrians, as well as for the exit from the Applegarth car park.

The junction of South Parade and the southern end of the High Street could also be improved by either altering the layout of the roundabout or replacing it with traffic lights, the county committee for Hambleton will be told when it meets at West Tanfield Village Hall on Monday (6pm).

Other ideas for improving traffic management include restricting the section of Romanby Road between the High Street and the car park entrance at the Durham Ox pub to a one-way flow westbound to reduce congestion on the main street. Traffic calming would be introduced on Romanby Road and Malpas Road to control speeds.

Improvements to the junction of Romanby Road, Malpas Road and Springwell Lane would be undertaken linked to development proposals in the area.

A key aim in the strategy is to improve conditions for pedestrians, especially the disabled. Widened footpaths are being suggested on the south side of Zetland Street; the east side of High Street south of the Zetland Street junction and under the Romanby Road railway bridge, where there would be signal-controlled "shuttle" working for road traffic.

New pedestrian crossing points, an extended 30mph zone and a 40mph buffer zone are envisaged on Thirsk Road to reduce traffic speeds and make the area safer for pedestrians.

Public transport improvements in North End, near The Buck pub, could include raised kerbs for passengers boarding buses and additional shelters and information boards, the county committee will be told.

The strategy suggests alterations to the layout of parking and loading bays and the bus stop in Zetland Street, with a new High Street "puffin" crossing immediately north of the Zetland Street junction.

On the outskirts of the town, various improvements are suggested between the A684 at Warlaby crossroads and Darlington Road through Dolly Lane and Yafforth Road.

These would include a roundabout to replace Warlaby crossroads; a new junction and route realignment at Yafforth and alterations to the mini-roundabout at the Yafforth Road and Darlington Road junction.

The option of sending traffic to and from Yafforth Road and Darlington Road along the Standard Way industrial estate distributor road, to ease congestion in the town centre, would be included in public consultations.

Mike Moore, environmental services director at County Hall, said £100,000 allocated in the local transport capital programme would help to pay for some short-term improvements in this financial year, although they would still have to be the subject of public comment.

These included upgrading bus stops in and around the town centre to a minimum standard; dropped kerbs and tactile paving on key pedestrian routes, and improvements to signs for pedestrians and to car parks.

Public consultation will involve a leaflet being sent to all households and businesses in Northallerton, with a prepaid questionnaire for comments, and a two-week exhibition in September.

* The county committee will also consider proposals for a traffic management strategy in Easingwold.

The first option being put up for approval for public consultation involves new road safety measures and improvements to conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in various parts of the town.

Two other options, with or without footpaths being created between The Commercial and The Angel pubs and in other areas around the market place, would involve adjustments to traffic flows in the town centre and a better waiting area for bus passengers.

Short term measures, similar to those at Northallerton, are suggested for implementation in this financial year.

* Leading article: page 20