A village is hoping a sizeable investment in road safety in the area could bring relative peace and quiet after decades of noise and disturbance caused by heavy traffic.

Catterick has been plagued by lorries making their way to and from the A1 from quarry workings and an industrial estate in the area, as well as tanks and transporters from the Army garrison.

A recent lobby of senior Army officers has improved the situation. Most Army vehicles now join the Great North Road at Gatherley a few miles further north, where a bridge was constructed for them when Catterick bypass was finished in the Seventies.

However, North Yorkshire County Council has now confirmed it will be spending £150,000 for more road safety improvements in Catterick, as well as in Tunstall and Brompton-on-Swale nearby.

Projects will include pinchpoints - which narrow the carriageway to slow traffic down - as well as speed cushions and more signs and road markings.

The speed limit through the heart of Catterick will also be reduced to 20mph.

County councillor for the area Carl Les said he was pleased with the proposals.

"Traffic calming has been a big priority for me and I am delighted this scheme has now got to the final planning stage,'' he said.

"We need to consider Tunstall Road in Catterick as well to protect Low Green and I will discuss this with planners straight away.

"Next month I will be present when a similar set of proposals reaches Brompton-on-Swale parish council. I am very pleased that Tunstall will also be getting a scheme which reflects the smaller but growing volume of traffic.''

Catterick parish council chairman Margaret Tickner also welcomed the proposals, which will go on public display soon to allow residents a chance to comment before formal ratification at county hall.

She said: "It is certainly something we have been fighting for over a number of years. We have already had a few accidents on the bend on Leeming Lane and some of the buildings are suffering because of the vibrations caused by heavy lorries.''