RESIDENTS of two neighbouring villages fear a "missing link" in a proposed motorway scheme will make traffic problems worse for their communities, a public inquiry was told yesterday.

Officials from the Highways Agency were questioned by a member of Middleton Tyas Parish Council, near Richmond, about the decision to omit a parallel local access road for two miles along the upgraded A1 between Barton, south of Darlington, and Scotch Corner.

The inquiry, which is being held at Scotch Corner, is hearing objections to revived plans for a three-lane motorway between Dishforth and Barton to reduce congestion and improve road safety.

But Middleton Tyas Parish Council says the village is already experiencing traffic problems on its narrow roads.

Residents were concerned that lives could be put at serious risk if the village became a local access route because of any motorway closure between Barton and Scotch Corner.

Councillor Paul Wilkinson, who challenged a Highways Agency claim that there would be no change to existing traffic patterns in the village, said learner drivers and tractors barred from the motorway would all have to use Middleton Tyas if a parallel A1 access road was not built.

Mr Wilkinson said the parish council disputed the Highways Agency claim that only slight benefits would arise from building an access road.

Judith Stansfield, representing Melsonby Parish Council, said her village was already coping with traffic diverted from the A66, including lorries carrying loads over 16ft high that cannot pass under Kneeton Bridge, near Barton.

She said: "A local access road between Barton and Scotch Corner was essential. Even with an improved A1 motorway, accidents will continue to happen and the local access road would mean vehicles would not need to be diverted through Melsonby or Middleton Tyas."