PLANS to close a main street in order to hold a pre-Christmas speciality farmers' market have caused concern in Guisborough.

The proposal by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council involves closing Westgate from New Road to Bow Street to through traffic from 10am-3pm on Saturday, December 7. It has asked for comments.

Stan Frank, chairman of the 96-strong Guisborough Business Association, is starting a petition against the closure this weekend, ahead of its annual meeting on Monday.

"We fully support the market because it will be good for the town.

"We also appreciate that the council might be worried about the safety aspects, after the traffic fiasco and chaos at Pinchinthorpe recently.

"But we do not believe such a road closure is necessary, practical or in the best interests of some of the businesses in the town.

"We think it could be managed better."

He said florists and newsagents between New Road and Bow Street would be among those needing deliveries and collections.

Closing Westgate would effectively mean the closure of Fountain Street and Chaloner Street. The latter was one way and one of the busiest shopping streets, leading on to Westgate.

A florist there has a delivery from Holland on Saturday afternoons and the taxi company at the bottom would not be able to operate at all if the exit on to Westgate was closed.

The association claims all bus services travelling through the town centre would be affected, as well as residents in Chapel Street.

Diversions meant other areas, such as New Road and Rectory Lane, would have a hard time coping with the extra traffic.

Mr Frank floated the idea of a park and ride system for the day, possibly from the leisure centre, plus better car park signs.

"A spokesman for the council says it is a possibility they may employ a specialist management company for the day to manage the system," he added.

"But can the council afford this and can the police spare the manpower to police such a closure?