HIGHWAYS bosses today unveiled radical plans to beat race-day congestion at all future race meetings in York.

City of York Council said the prospect of Royal Ascot at York next year had provided the catalyst for reviewing route arrangements.

The new arrangements include controls on vehicle movements in and out of certain residential areas and improved junction controls to increase traffic flows.

The scheme will be implemented for the first time at next month's Ebor meeting and will form the nucleus of the traffic management plan being drawn up for Royal Ascot at York next summer.

The new scheme has been drawn up by the authority in conjunction with police, Highways Agency, public transport representatives and race officials from York and Ascot.

If successful, it could be rolled out to other major race days at York.

Measures to be trialled at next month's Ebor meeting will include:

Closing Tadcaster Road for all out-of-city traffic from 11am to 2pm from the Tesco roundabout.

No through routes in either direction along Knavesmire Road and Campleshon Road for the whole of each race day

Access to South Bank between midday and 4pm allowed only through the Campleshon Road/Bishopthorpe Road junction, for permit-holders only - and one permit per household or local business.

Temporary extra lanes to increase capacity around the A64, Sim Balk Lane and Tadcaster Road junctions

All successful aspects of the trial will be used at future meetings, including the Royal Ascot meeting and elsewhere, when deemed necessary.

James Brennan, marketing manager at York Racecourse, said: "We are delighted that today sees the announcement of a plan that looks like it will improve the racing experience at next month's Ebor and looks like it will improve the traffic in the community."

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, July 07, 2004