A WRANGLE over plans for a bypass has taken a fresh twist following a political party's traffic survey.

Teesside Green Party said the survey, which was carried out on one of Middlesbrough's arterial roads, showed 72 per cent of vehicles had one occupant.

The party is calling on Middlesbrough Council, through Mayor Ray Mallon, to drop its support for the £24m East Middlesbrough Bypass.

A spokesman for the party said: "With new opportunities for car sharing available, flexible working hours, good public transport and the promotion of cycling, drivers and employers have the answer to congestion in their own hands."

Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils have argued about solutions to congestion, and the National Trust has objected to the proposals for a bypass saying it would cut across their land at Ormesby Hall.

Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said the option of a light rail system should be investigated because the environmental damage would outweigh the benefits of a new road.

The Green Party said its traffic surveys and two Government reports, which undermine the need for new roads, are evidence that building the bypass would be "madness".

Spokesman Peter Goodwin said: "Mayor Mallon's target of a 20 per cent cut in traffic flows is easily achievable - if the drivers themselves play a part.

"There may be an election on, but Mr Mallon and his pro-road councillors must face the facts, be honest with the electorate and admit that an East Middlesbrough Bypass would be a disaster.

A spokesman for Mr Mallon said the mayor did not favour one option against the other, adding that Mr Mallon was not going to get involved in the election.