MOVES are being made to head off Remembrance Day traffic chaos in Yarm this year.
Police came under fire after last November's ceremony with anger from both motorists and those taking part in the event.
Town councillors, in particular, felt not enough respect had been shown by vehicles being allowed on to the High Street shortly after the minute's silence.
Now the local police chief has promised a review of arrangements.
At a recent meeting of Yarm Town Council, anger erupted amid a wrangle over last year's ceremony in which police were criticised for traffic chaos through the town centre.
Councillors also complained that the way the event was handled did not show enough respect to the fallen.
Members were discussing area commander Insp Colin White's response to concerns by Coun Brian Jones.
Town council chairman Coun Liz Marsden was unhappy about draft arrangements for this year's Remembrance Day tribute which indicated that the time the High Street was closed to traffic would be reduced .
Recalling that traffic noise had drowned the reading of the roll of honour last year, Coun Marjorie Simpson said: "The people whose names were read out had fought and fallen for their country and there was not enough respect shown."
Coun Marsden said a letter from Insp White to Coun Jones did not address the problems.
"It is not too much to ask police to stop the traffic at the town hall as has happened for several years. People understand at such a time," she said.
Coun Marsden said a meeting was needed on the issue. Insp White agreed.
"We will be reviewing the arrangements for Remembrance Day with the council as to when they want us to open and close the roads," he said.
"But Yarm High Street is an A-road and they don't see the frustration of drivers held up for far longer than the one-minute silence."
Insp White said police tried to manage the High Street last year and felt traffic flow was kept moving.
In a letter to Coun Jones, Insp White said chaos ensued by closing the High Street for a lengthy period both before the minute's silence and afterwards to allow the parade to move away from the cenotaph to the church. A mile or so of tailbacks was caused on both sides of the town.
This year, he is suggesting cutting the amount of time roads are closed and running a filter set of traffic through the High Street, apart from during the minute's silence.
"In effect, both ends of the High Street would be closed shortly before the silence and then one lane would be allowed in and one lane round the back of Yarm as an alternative," he said.
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