LONG-suffering residents in Nunthorpe were celebrating this week after a breakthrough in a controversial traffic saga.

Members of Nunthorpe action group hailed a victory as two councils agreed on a way forward over the problem of Gypsy Lane.

In talks described as "fruitful", Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough councils decided it would be best to reopen the road - which has been closed for a 12-month trial period - and install traffic-calming measures on both Gypsy Lane and The Avenue.

Redcar and Cleveland's executive then deferred a decision on whether to approve a temporary order on Gypsy Lane and instead consider traffic-calming.

A delighted Mr Stan Robson, chairman of the action group, said: "This is brilliant news. It is what we have always wanted and a huge success for campaigners."

Gypsy Lane has been a cause of controversy and anger for years.

Redcar and Cleveland closed it late last year after residents complained of speeding traffic using it as a rat-run. But others said this merely shifted the problem elsewhere, and a packed public meeting called for Gypsy Lane to be reopened and a Nunthorpe-wide strategy on traffic.

Redcar and Cleveland's lead councillor for environment and infrastructure Coun Sylvia Szintai said: "I am glad our talks with Middlesbrough have been positive and produced a way forward which should please the whole of Nunthorpe."

She said a six-month review had shown the closure was partially successful but that The Avenue had suffered from extra traffic.

Talks took place between Coun Szintai and deputy technical services director, Mr Andy Hyams, with Middlesbrough's commissioner for environment, Coun Ken Hall, and head of transport, Coun Brian Glover.

Coun Hall said he would recommend to the Cabinet that it switches cash earmarked for a consultant's report on Gypsy Lane to fund traffic calming in The Avenue.

Traffic calming in Gypsy Lane would be financed from Redcar and Cleveland's highways maintenance budget.

Coun Szintai said: "We hope to able to implement traffic calming in Gypsy Lane in six months and that the road will be reopened."

Opinions about Gypsy Lane have been divided since 1991 when a questionnaire showed a majority of residents in the Redcar and Cleveland part of Nunthorpe wanted it closed while most of those in the Middlesbrough area wanted it to remain open.

Public meetings and rush-hour protests followed closure as campaigners refused to accept the move.