PLANS to improve the traffic flow through a North Yorkshire market town could result in its character being damaged, according to district planning chiefs.

North Yorkshire County Council has put forward proposals aimed at managing traffic in the centre of Easingwold.

But planning officers at Hambleton District Council have raised concerns over some of the measures, though they recommend that others - including reducing speeds on approach roads to the town and near Easingwold Community Primary School - should be supported.

They are concerned that marking out of cobbled areas in the town's Market Place for parking could leave them damaged and this would affect the character of the town.

The plans, which were the subject of a two-week consultation earlier this month, involve three options.

The first focuses on improving road safety and enhancing pedestrian and cycle facilities, with measures such as speed restrictions, the introduction of passing places for cars and on-street parking alongside the green in Uppleby.

The second and third options both concentrate on the town's Market Place.

The second option includes creating footways by replacing cobbles, providing another bus stop and creating one-way sections.

The third option includes the creation of a bus interchange between the green and a printing business. A report going before Hambleton District Council's ruling cabinet on Thursday says marking out the cobbled areas to the east of the central car park would damaging one of the "defining characteristics of Easingwold Town Centre".

It goes on to say: "The importance of the cobbled areas in defining the character of the town is noted in the Conservation Area Assessment for Easingwold."

The report also warns the introduction of signs and shelters in a random way could damage the townscape of the area.

The proposed closure of the link between Chapel Lane and Little Lane would push traffic to the already congested Spring Street to Tanpit Lane road, past the Post Office.

The district council has also raised concerns over the proposed introduction of short-term disc parking in the town centre.

They say there is insufficient evidence that the measure is necessary and the county council should wait until the impact of the other measures are clear.

Updated: 08:44 Monday, June 23, 2003