A BAN on turning has halved the traffic on a steep, narrow residential street in Richmond, according to a report.

Drivers have been prevented from turning left onto the Gallowfields trading estate from the top of Quarry Road since January, when an 18-month trial ban was introduced.

The regulation also stops vehicles from turning right into the road from the estate.

The move followed complaints from residents that pedestrians, including children, were at risk. Some traders on the estate said that the turning ban would damage their businesses.

A report to North Yorkshire County Council's Richmondshire area committee on Thursday will say surveys before and since the ban showed that traffic using Quarry Road had dropped by nearly half.

However, studies at the junction indicated that about a third of motorists ignored the signs and made illegal turns.

The report, by council corporate director Gordon Gresty, says a six-month review will be compiled at the end of July.