A CALL for "constructive" talks was made yesterday after government ministers threw out plans for a controversial Cleveland bypass scheme.

The leader of Redcar and Cleveland council urged counterparts at Middlesbrough to sit and down and consider alternatives.

But Coun David Walsh also said the government ruling vindicated his authority's opposition to an East Middlesbrough bypass.

His council had favoured instead development of a light rapid transit system using existing rail lines.

The news comes after months of wrangling between the two authorities over possible solutions to traffic snarl-ups along the East Middlesbrough corridor.

Middlesbrough had wanted Redcar and Cleveland to back a bid for funding for a new road to alleviate chronic motoring problems from Swan's Corner to Longlands Road.

But the neighbouring council persistently refused to get on board.

Coun Walsh welcomed the ministers' rejection of the scheme.

An official statement from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions said the project had "not been proved on transport grounds."

The fact that the road would have cut through National Trust property at Ormesby Hall was highlighted.

"Perhaps this scheme was the first turkey of Christmas," said Coun Walsh. "I had warned continually that it was doomed in its present form, both flying in the face of government transport policy and being environmentally damaging.

"Now it has been put in its grave by ministers, it is important to press on with devising modern, hi-tech passenger transport solutions to congestion issues in our area."

Coun Walsh has consistently said the councils needed to look to a light rapid transit system which could link Guisborough, the southern suburbs of Middlesbrough, the James Cook hospital and the Cellnet stadium to central Middlesbrough.

"Such a scheme would be in tune with transport aspirations of the new century and would stand in direct contrast to a road scheme which had its origins in the discredited mega highway policies of the 60s and 70s," he said.

The bypass scheme was turned down as part of an overall report on local transport for the region.

"I hope Middlesborough will sit down with us in a spirit of co-operation and consider solutions which would be acceptable to us all," said Coun Walsh.

Middlesbrough council leader Coun Ken Walker said he was not surprised by the decision.

"We have been, and will remain, happy to discuss a project which has overwhelming public support with our colleagues in Redcar and Cleveland."

l STOCKTON council was yesterday celebrating a £9.1m boost for its transport network.

The government is giving almost £6m for stage two of the South Stockton Link Road which, when complete, will run from Ingleby Barwick to Stockton town centre via a new interchange with the A66.

A further £1.5m will go to integrated transport schemes such as the low floor bus project, safer routes to school, and road safety measures.