A MAJOR traffic management strategy is being drawn up for North Yorkshire's county town, with improvements for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians over the next five years.

Thousands of pounds will be spent on developments in and around Northallerton, addressing traffic and road safety problems at major locations.

North Yorkshire County Council has identified problem areas in the market town - including congested junctions and level crossings - and is looking at ways to address them.

The council and its partner consultant, Mouchel, have been working with other authorities and organisations, including district and town councils, police, chamber of trade and taxi companies, to develop an overall plan for managing traffic on the busy roads.

Chris Millns, the council's head of environmental enhancement, said: "The council has a £10m county-wide budget for works of this nature, and we have already allocated £100,000 to the traffic management strategy this year.

"We have been looking at the problems in the town, around level crossings and at certain junctions, and considering ways we can free the movement of traffic through the high street. We have also looked at ways to make the town safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Another priority has been to address the use of public transport and encourage local people to leave their cars at home."

There have been some differing opinions among councillors on some of the proposals and so the options are being taken to public consultation, with leaflets and questionnaires being handed out to residential and business properties.

The results of the consultation will be reported to the county council's area committee for Hambleton, which will choose the strategy to be adopted.

Councillor Bill Barton, chairman of the committee, said: "It is important that local people have their say and I hope that as many as possible take advantage of the opportunity whilst the consultation is under way.

"I can assure everyone that the views of Northallerton people are being listened to."

The proposals are being co-ordinated with a separate car parking strategy, developed by Hambleton District Council to improve and increase parking in the town.