COUNCILLORS have backed moves to close Pickering's Market Place on Mondays as part of a controversial proposed traffic strategy for the town.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) highways department is to make the Market Place a pedestrian zone between 10am and 4pm on Mondays.

Other proposals supported by the councillors include blocking Teal Lane and Anchorite Lane and encouraging more cycling in Pickering, especially among students at Lady Lumley's School which now has a cycle park.

Councillors also want a pedestrian crossing in Westgate and a safer route into the town centre in Bridge Street, for which one-way traffic has been suggested.