A TRAFFIC calming scheme in Richmond is helping to slow vehicles down, according to officials.

Graham Cressey, a North Yorkshire County Council officer said the speed hump and new signs at Quarry Road had slowed traffic down by four to nine miles per hour.

Officers are now looking at moving the speed hump farther down Quarry Road.

"We have monitored the site and speeds on Quarry Road have gone down as a result of the experimental calming measures by between four and nine miles per hour, in spite of residents' claims that it has had no effect," said Mr Cressey.

Some new signs directing traffic to the Gallowfields trading estate had been erected and consultation on access to the estate was almost complete. A report is due before the committee next year.

Councillor Linda Curran said Quarry Road would always have problems until an alternative route to the trading estate was provided.

Local authorities have examined several options but the cost and severe engineering problems have led to the rejection of the majority of proposals.