HISTORICAL bypass projects designed to relieve besieged communities across North Yorkshire could be shelved as part of a review of major highway schemes.

Many of the proposals, some of which go back 40 years, include only basic outlines of relief roads or lines on maps.

Schemes under review include the A167 Northallerton Bypass(Eastern) and the A167 Northallerton bypass (Western and Southern); the A684 Ainderby/Morton bypass; the A170 Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe bypass; the A167 Great Smeaton bypass and the A61 Carlton Miniott bypass.

North Yorkshire County Council, concerned about the financial risks to the authority of any potential for blight on properties close to any possible new roads, is reviewing a list of 23 major highways schemes. Some could be prioritised, others may be removed altogether.

An initial consultation is being carried out with county councillors representing the areas affected and planning authorities.

Highway officer James Gilroy told the council's transport committee that over the past five years there have been major changes in the way road schemes are funded – with the Local Enterprise Partnership responsible for smaller schemes and the Department for Transport for larger ones.

Major schemes currently being pursued by the county council are the Kex Gill realignment on the A59, Harrogate relief road and the A64 York to Scarborough road.

There has also been a shift in the approach to support for bypass schemes.

Mr Gilroy said: "Historically major scheme proposals were developed to address one or more specific highway issues, such as highway safety, local disruption, or environmental impacts.

"There has however been a significant change in emphasis on what major schemes should deliver with schemes now very much having to make a substantial contribution to promoting and sustaining economic growth.”

The review could take up to a year, and some communities fear their schemes could be abandoned altogether.

Cllr Caroline Artingstoll, chair of Sutton-Under-Whitestonecliffe parish council, said a new approach is needed.

The village is on the doorstep of Sutton Bank on the main A170 road to the coast.

Cllr Artingstoll said: “We have intolerable problems with HGVs particularly.

"As funding is drying up there should be a whole new way of looking at this, addressing the wider issues, such as for us the problems with Sutton Bank and taking into account the costs to the police and other agencies.

“It is important that this is not just rejected They need to start thinking outside the box."