PLANS to solve traffic chaos on one of the region's busiest routes have been unveiled.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has turned his attention to the town's Marton Road in a bid to ease the flow of traffic that builds up around the James Cook University Hospital.

Two options have been put forward for the stretch of Marton Road between Ladgate Lane and the entrance to the hospital.

Option one is to have the road given over in the mornings to two lanes heading into town and one lane coming out, with a switch in the afternoon to two lanes coming out of town and one lane going in.

The second option - the most likely to be adopted - is to maintain a system throughout the day of two lanes into town and one lane coming out.

In the longer term, Mr Mallon says a scheme is being looked at to provide a relief road from Ladgate Lane, through the Prissick skateboard arena, to the back of the hospital.

The mayor, who admitted that the scheme was at an embryonic stage, said: "I want the traffic to be able to travel faster. It is too slow at the moment. The traffic congestion lasts for about one-and-a-half hours in the morning and in the evening it is two-and-a-half hours."

The proposals would see changes at junctions and traffic lights and removal of some traffic islands.

However, Mr Mallon said the changes would not be introduced until after work in Cargo Fleet Lane - scheduled to last until April - was completed.

He said much of the traffic that builds up along the road is often going to or from the hospital.

Jill Moulton, director of planning at South Tees NHS Hospitals Trust, said: "We've had very outline discussions with the council about traffic and future plans for Marton Road and will continue to work closely with them."