DRIVERS are to be stopped and questioned by police in an attempt to find out the long-term traffic needs of an Army base.

North Yorkshire County Council and the Ministry of Defence have teamed up to carry out a comprehensive study of travel needs in and around Catterick Garrison.

Officials hope the study will help them to forecast future travel demands, but have warned the survey could lead to slight delays for motorists.

Once it has been completed, the results will be used to put together a traffic management strategy for the garrison, including improvements to the road and transport systems.

The travel survey is being carried out by consultants Mouchel Parkman and specialist survey contractors.

During the surveys, drivers may be stopped at a census point by the police and asked to answer a few quick questions about the journey they are undertaking.

The county council says the information is needed to determine where vehicles are travelling and reasons for the journey.

A spokesman for the authority said: "While the census points are designed to minimise delays to road users, some small delays are inevitable.

"All the surveys have been approved by the MoD and, as always, security at the garrison has been a key consideration."

In addition to the traffic census, other information will be collected through travel surveys in car parks.

Councillor Peter Sowray, executive member for environmental services, said: "The data collected will be used within a wider traffic management study of Catterick Garrison, using the same procedures which the county council has used successfully in a number of other areas across North Yorkshire.

"In due course, the public will be consulted on the recommended transport improvements to ensure the proposals deal with current issues and future needs of Catterick Garrison and the surrounding area."

Similar traffic management strategies have already been put together for towns across North Yorkshire, including Richmond, Northallerton and Bedale.

In Richmond, the strategy has led to widened pavements, the creation of a one-way traffic system and repairs to Finkle Street