A LEADING York roads manager today urged motorists to stay away from a busy city centre area after cables running street traffic signals were accidentally cut.

Peter Evely, City of York Council's head of highways, said drivers should avoid North Street, George Hudson Street and Skeldergate for the rest of today, and possibly tomorrow.

Cables which carry information from a city computer to traffic lights in the area had been severed by workers, leaving four junctions without lights.

Temporary traffic lights were now in place, but Mr Evely said he still advised drivers to give the streets a wide berth.

"I really do want people to stay away from the area for as long as possible," Mr Evely said. "The repairs are very complicated."

Updated: 16:19 Wednesday, November 20, 2002