A COMMUNITY leader has threatened to lie down in the road to stop motorway traffic being diverted through her village.

Richmondshire District Councillor Jill McMullon says she will fight "tooth and nail" to prevent run-off traffic from the new A1 motorway passing through Middleton Tyas.

Plans for the £325m upgrade of the road went on show last month, with a 25-mile stretch between Dishforth and Barton due to become a three-lane motorway.

Junctions will be built at Baldersby, Leeming, Catterick and Scotch Corner.

Under the Highways Agency's proposals, traffic may be diverted off at Scotch Corner if the motorway became blocked following an accident.

Vehicles would then be sent through Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, before rejoining the motorway beyond the blockage.

Non-motorway traffic would also be directed through the village.

At present, vehicles such as tractors can use the non-motorway A1 between Barton and Scotch Corner.

Coun McMullon said: "It is totally unacceptable in my view that the run-off road should be through Middleton Tyas.

"We already have serious traffic problems in the village. It's an ancient village and it wasn't made for cars it was made for horse and carts.

"I will fight tooth and nail to have this stopped.

"I'm prepared to lie down in front of the diggers if necessary."

Road chiefs had previously planned a new local access road between Barton and Scotch Corner, which would have meant traffic avoiding Middleton Tyas.

However, this has been removed from the latest plans.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "We value any comments that people may have on the scheme and we're happy to receive feedback on the published draft orders."

Public exhibitions on the upgrade have already been held at Leeming Bar.

Others will take place at the Scotch Corner Hotel on May 26, from 10am to 8pm and May 27, from 10am to 4pm.

Work on the three-year upgrade is due to start in spring 2008.