TWO more villages may get 20mph speed limit restrictions after being added to a priority list by North Yorkshire County Council's highways department

The new restrictions proved controversial in Leyburn and led to the demise of the Brentwood Residents' Association, after some members led a campaign against traffic calming measures outside their homes only to have others disassociate themselves from the organisation.

Signs and speed humps were installed in October, and council officials will be hoping for a smoother ride with plans for similar schemes in Barton and at Glebe Meadows estate in Scorton.

A total of £25,000 has already been set aside to cover the cost, although the Scorton the project is expected to prove cheaper than most. Engineers say they can make the route from the estate to the primary school in Bolton Road safer without installing humps.

Before then, contractors will be working on 20mph projects in School Bank, Middleton Tyas, and at Brompton Park, in Brompton-on-Swale.

Darlington Road, in Richmond, is likely to follow within the year, along with Wavell Road, Catterick Garrison.

Most of the 20mph areas have been chosen because they include school gates or routes used by children.

However, Richmond Market Place is also on the priority list because of the potentially dangerous mix of cars, buses and pedestrians - although a 20mph limit would be included as part of a far-reaching revamp of the roads around the centre of the town.

Other suggestions in Richmond could include relocating the bus bays from the Market Place to Queen's Road, improved pedestrian links between the car park at Nun's Close and the town centre, and providing better facilities for cyclists.

The county council's Richmondshire Area Committee is due to debate the 20mph limits and plans for Richmond at a meeting at Richmondshire District Council's headquarters in the town's Frenchgate, on Monday.