MOVES to ban traffic in Helmsley's historic Market Place have been given rejected by residents and traders.

Instead, they have supported a county council option to introduce a scheme of minimal changes to the market town's traffic management.

Three options have been drawn up which went to public consultation recently.

Members of Helmsley Town Council were told that 60 per cent backed option A, which envisages action being taken to lower speed limits and improve road safety in the area of the town's county primary school, Ashdale Road, and from Canon Garth Mews to Carlton Lane.

The views will go before the county council's area committee for Ryedale when it meets at Nawton next Thursday.

Lord Feversham, chairman of the town authority, said it had been "a crazy" exercise.