THE Government's decision to refuse a bypass for Teesside has received a mixed reaction.

Middlesbrough Council was seeking Government cash for an East Middlesbrough Transport Corridor, but it was announced that the scheme would not get the go-ahead.

The National Trust had already expressed opposition, because the new road would pass through the grounds of Ormesby Hall, and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council refused to endorse the scheme until the results of a survey into a light rail transit system were known.

A Government spokes-man said yesterday: "The Government does not believe that the case for the scheme has been made."

David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland District Council, last night welcomed the rejection of the controversial plan.

He said: "This scheme was the first turkey of Christmas. I had warned continually that it was doomed in its present form, both flying in the face of Government transport policy and being environmentally damaging."

He called for a light rapid transit system to link south and central Middlesbrough, Guisborough, the James Cook University Hospital and the Cellnet Stadium.

Ken Walker, of Middlesbrough council, described David Walsh's comments as "pretty silly - and sad - given the seriousness of the traffic problems which affect thousands".