A FINAL decision on plans for a joint police and fire station to be built in a market town is expected this week.

Emergency services chiefs have submitted proposals to Hambleton District Council for the dual-purpose station in Bedale.

The fire station and tower in the Wycar area of the town would be demolished to make way for the development.

Bedale Town Council has given its support to the project, but people living nearby have expressed concerns about increased movements of emergency vehicles threatening the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

They also fear that traffic congestion in the area could get worse when a Quality Fayre supermarket opens.

But council planning officer Tom Wood said: "The frequency of call-outs from the Bedale fire station is not expected to increase significantly, and therefore the effect on the Wycar area from fire service emergency vehicles would be unchanged.

"In emergency situations, the fire engine has the benefit of lights and sirens to warn other road users, and it is considered that the use of the Wycar area by fire engines does not present an unacceptable risk to other road users."

But he said: "The potential increase in vehicle movements to the station causes concern, not just for the safety of road users, but also for the residential amenity of the neighbours to the site.

"The road leads to the open space at Bedale Hall and is therefore used by children as a means of access to the recreation grounds."

North Yorkshire County Council has suggested that a traffic calming scheme should be introduced to provide a safer environment on the narrow road leading to the site.

Further discussions on the design of the building are expected to take place ahead of a planning committee meeting on Thursday, when a decision on the scheme is due to be made.

Planning officers say they will make a recommendation to councillors at the meeting.