A PROPOSED traffic calming scheme criticised by people in Great Ayton has been put back by several months.

North Yorkshire County Council originally hoped that, if agreement could be reached with local people, it would be completed before the end of March.

But now the project has been deferred until the next financial year because the council believes it is important first to resurface the A173 in Great Ayton from the junction of the B1292 at Middlesbrough Road to Ayton Bridge.

It has also proved impossible to arrange a site meeting with all interested parties at the same time since the amended scheme was last discussed in April.

The scheme is aimed at addressing traffic speeds and reducing the record of injury accidents, which stood at 27 between 1994 and 1998.

Its key features include road gateway markings and slow signs, new chevron signs on a bend, school crossing patrol signs and flashing lights on Guisborough Road and Levenside, central islands, a mini-roundabout and a zebra crossing.

During public consultations, councillors and villagers expressed concern about the environmental effects of so many measures which, it was felt, would bring an urban flavour to the village.

Coun June Imeson, a Hambleton council representative, said: "A lot of calming measures and signs are going up in Great Ayton in what we consider is an unnecessary manner. I don't feel any of these proposals would have altered any of these accidents.

"The county is prepared to spend all this money in Great Ayton when there is a very bad junction on the A172 where people have been killed and injured."

Mr Chris Millns, head of environmental enhancement at the county council, said many of the comments made by Coun Imeson would be discussed when a site meeting was finally arranged with county, district and parish councillors and police.

A further report on the outcome of the site meeting would go to county councillors