COUNTRYSIDE guardian, the National Trust is to fight proposals for a new road.

A bypass being considered by Middlesbrough Council would plough through Trust land on the edge of former stately home, Ormesby Hall, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, which the watchdog owns.

"The hall was given to the National Trust to preserve the green areas around the hall and we will do everything we can to protect them," said estates manager Stephen Cornford.

"It would pass through some environmentally sensitive areas and would spoil land for a fairly limited benefit.''

Coun David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said a road solution to current traffic congestion problems "is still redolent of the 'Seventies."

The Government has commissioned a study into light rail transit as a jam busting option across Britain and the first findings are expected to be published by Christmas.

Redcar and Cleveland Council say a light rail system would be better than a bypass.

Coun Walsh believes a proposal for a bypass would not get beyond a planning stage because of the threat it would pose to greenfield areas.

Mr Cornford said the light rail option would be much better and more modern.

Coun Ken Walker, leader of Middlesbrough Council, said while light rail has a potential in longer-term transport plans for the area, a bypass offers a 'here and now' solution.

He said: "We believe that it would be welcomed by the vast majority of residents, not only in Middlesbrough, but also in Redcar and Cleveland, many of whom, of course, travel into the centre of the conurbation for work and are affected by the inadequacies of the present road network."

Representatives from both councils met to iron out their different approaches to the problem. Redcar and Cleveland Council described the talks as "constructive."