Hambleton councillors were yesterday discussing progress on Northallerton's long-waited outer by-pass. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say lack of progress.

The most recent plan was hatched by the county council in 1990 and options for a western or eastern route examined but not progressed when it became clear central government would not release the funds necessary to pay for such a project. In truth there was not, perhaps, sufficient justification for the road and thus the reason why it languished at the bottom of the county list of "priority" schemes.

But the situation has certainly changed over the last 10 years. Firstly, Northallerton has grown, with the Broomfield and Boroughbridge Road residential areas doubling in size. There has also been more housing to the east of the town and the Malpas Road development will mean more congestion.

There is also more through traffic, particularly from Teesside. At peak times it can take up to 20 minutes to pass through the town and the now we have the growth in freight rail traffic which is bringing the town's three level crossing gates down with increasing regularity through the day causing virtual paralysis for short periods.

As well as the delays caused to frustrated motorists, there is the impact of all the traffic, whether it is speeding through or backing up in queues, on the residents of Thirsk, Boroughbridge and Stokesley roads. They too deserve some relief.

Hambleton's decision to take up the issue again is therefore well timed. The government's recently unveiled Transport White Paper with its promise of up to £180bn for new transport schemes offers some hope that all the bypass schemes currently on the shelf in County Hall could be dusted down and examined with intent once more.

Northallerton's case should surely rise up the list of priority schemes. The welcome growth in rail traffic, together with the growth in road traffic, is combing to turn the county town into North Yorkshire's most congested and one of the few without a bypass