COMMUNITY leaders have welcomed plans to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in a North Yorkshire market town.

A new traffic management strategy for Bedale will be discussed by district councillors next Friday.

Improvements are being proposed amid growing fears over the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in the town.

The proposals include:

* Improved footpaths between Bedale and Aiskew.

* The development of a network of cycle routes and secure cycle parking facilities.

* The rationalisation and improvement of road signs.

* Measures to slow traffic on roads into Bedale and Aiskew.

* Improved public transport facilities.

Specific measures include new pedestrian crossings near Bedale Hall and in Aiskew, improvements to the Market Place bus stop and alterations to the road layout at White Bear Corner.

Other measures have been suggested, such as traffic calming on Exelby Road and an extension of the 30mph limit along Leyburn Road. Hambleton district councillor for Bedale, Carl Les yesterday welcomed the strategy.

He said: "Traffic problems in Bedale are getting worse.

"The real solution is the new relief road, but in the meantime there are things we can do now, for example at the White Bear corner.

"It's dangerous for people driving cars, but there are also fears a pedestrian will be run over at the junction."

Hambleton councillors have been asked to give the county council feedback on the plans.

Most of the measures have also been welcomed by council officers.

Although planners say they are concerned the proposed improvements could result in more road signs and general 'street clutter'.

Steve Quartermain, the council's director of planning and environmental services, said in a report produced ahead of Friday's meeting: "The greatest risk in accepting the recommendations is that the design and materials do not have proper regard to their context and cause significant harm to the historic character and appearance of the town.

"The risk in not supporting the recommendations is that resources to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists may not take place."

The traffic management strategy is separate to the proposed A684 Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming Bar relief road, which is due to open in 2011. The traffic strategy will be discussed at Northallerton Civic Centre from 10am on Friday July 15.