AN open meeting has been called to address major traffic congestion problems in two towns.

Local interest groups will attend the traffic summit, which is entitled Managing Traffic Congestion in Harrogate and Knaresborough, on Saturday, October 14.

The meeting will see traffic engineers present the results of a traffic flow survey carried out during the summer months.

North Yorkshire County Council's environmental services director, Mike Moore, is due to give the keynote speech and pedestrians' groups and chambers of trade will also have the chance to air their views.

Councillor Bill Hoult, who will chair the conference, said: "There are no easy answers to our traffic problems. Figures produced in the summer by the county council confirm a year-on-year growth in traffic which just adds to our congestion problems.

"The idea for the traffic summit was to invite those who have a real interest to work with us to address these problems.

"We hope to use the ideas put forward at the summit to work up a priority list and framework for future transport initiatives."