OFFICIALS are recommending that lorries are banned from a moorland road in the Dales.

Residents at Grinton have called for a prohibition order on the road between the village and Bellerby Camp, near Leyburn.

They say large wagons have damaged verges and walls and pose a danger to cyclists and walkers.

Officials carried out four surveys on the route after a petition of 53 signatures was sent to the county council.

The last survey, in September, found that an average of 20 heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) use the route each day.

Gordon Gresty, the county council's corporate director for businesses and environmental services, said in a report to members: "Whilst the results of the various traffic surveys suggest that the use of the road over the moor by HCVs is relatively low as a proportion of the total number of vehicles recorded, there is evidence that because of the particular characteristics of the road, the HCVs which do use it are causing a disproportionate amount of disruption.

"For this reason, and because of the close proximity of a suitable alternative route, it is considered that the proposed prohibition of heavy commercial vehicles should be introduced."

The suggested alternative route for lorries travelling to Grinton is along the A6108 to Half Penny House and then past Wathgill Camp.

Officers say this route is just over three-and-a-half miles longer.

Lorries needing access to the restricted area would be allowed to use the road.

The issue will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Monday.

Officers recommend that the plan to introduce the prohibition order is advertised.

It should then be introduced if no objections are made, they say.

If objectors do come forward, officers recommend a further report is carried out.