COUNCIL and police chiefs were today locked in talks assessing the success of the traffic-busting system introduced for the Ebor festival.

A City of York Council spokesman said the authority was pleased with how the three-day trial went - but lessons had been learned about traffic management ahead of next year's Royal Ascot at York.

He said: "We are having an instant debrief today with the police and all other parties involved.

"There are lots of talks to come in the next few days going into great detail about how it worked. Reports will be going to the council."

"We still say that we are on the whole very pleased with the trial, but we have learned a lot of lessons about traffic management."

He said the council was "very pleased" with measures introduced yesterday from the racecourse car park on to Tadcaster Road, which saw two separate lanes introduced for race and normal traffic.

Some elements of the trial triggered complaints from residents, racegoers and taxi drivers.

The spokesman admitted more thought was needed on future plans for the South Bank area and much more publicity was needed to inform punters from outside York.

He called on anyone with opinions on the trial to write to: Jackie Wright, City of York Council, Freepost YO239, YO1 722.

Successful elements of this week's trial are intended to form the backbone of the Ascot master plan.

Two men were arrested following an incident at a York pub last night.

The pair, who have not been named, were arrested for public disorder related offences after police were called to the Nag's Head, Micklegate, at 8pm.

A York Police spokesman said some minor injuries were sustained in the incidents. No one was taken to hospital.

He said that there had been "one or two" isolated incidents of disorder in and around York last night that could be related to racegoers, but "nothing serious".

Updated: 10:59 Friday, August 20, 2004