RESEARCH and consultation into traffic congestion in two North Yorkshire towns has suggested bypasses or relief roads would not necessarily solve their problems.

About 25,000 vehicles a day travel along the A59 through Harrogate and Knaresborough while, at peak times, hold-ups can become tortuous.

However, a detailed study has revealed only ten per cent of the traffic is passing through

As a result, North Yorkshire County Council highways chiefs have said building more roads around the two towns would not necessarily ease the problem.

Although relief routes have not been ruled out, the Harrogate and Knaresborough Integrated Transport Study will now focus on other options, including better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and a park-and-ride scheme for Harrogate.

More details on each option will be worked out over the next few months before full public consultation on a list of options for the future.

Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet member for public works, Councillor Julian Sturdy, urged all local people to take part in consultations.