TRANSPORT chiefs in York have unveiled their traffic management plans ahead of the last race of the season this weekend.

City of York Council will be putting in place traffic management measures to keep disruption to a minimum ahead of the final meeting of the season tomorrow and Saturday.

Signs will be put in place on all major routes into the city to encourage traffic to approach the racecourse via the A1237 and A64. Extra signage will be used within the city to reinforce the message.

No waiting' cones will be used in Knavesmire Road, Campleshon Road, Albemarle Road, Knavesmire Avenue, Knavesmire Crescent, Bishopthorpe Road and one side of Church Lane, Bishopthorpe.

As traffic starts to leave the racecourse, the traffic lights at the Sim Balk Lane/Tadcaster Road junction will be turned off.

This means there will be no right turn towards the city for traffic leaving Sim Balk Lane.

All traffic leaving the A64 to travel to Bishopthorpe will be directed towards the Askham Bar roundabout to execute a u-turn. Vehicles will then approach the junction from the city direction and be able to turn left into Sim Balk Lane.

It is estimated that these restrictions will apply from 4.30pm to 7pm, although times may vary depending on traffic flows.

Between these times a partial road closure will be in place on Bishopthorpe Road between Main Street and Church Lane, preventing traffic from travelling towards the city.

Anyone travelling from Bishopthorpe to York should use Main Street, Sim Balk Lane, Church Lane and Bishopthorpe Road, although those travelling to Bishopthorpe from the city will be able to follow their usual route.

Racing on both days is set to begin at 2.10pm. Highlights include a top-class sprint race, the renowned Band Of The Coldstream Guards and also big-match atmosphere as international football will be shown on a big screen as England take on Estonia in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The action tomorrow features the £18,000 TSG Stakes, a handicap contest for leading milers and concludes with The Betfair Apprentice Training Series Finale, the culmination of a special series of eight races for apprentice riders held throughout the UK and which began at Catterick in April.

Saturday's principal race is the paddypower.com Sprint Trophy, offering prize money of £35,000.