TRAFFIC continued to flow around the city early today, despite the complete closure of Cemetery Road for sewer repairs.

But highways bosses are warning that the situation may worsen this week when all the city's schools reopen after the half-term break.

Peter Evely, head of highway regulation at the City of York Council, said that since Cemetery Road was closed in both directions on Friday, the outlook has been optimistic.

But he is preparing himself for a significant change.

He said: "I think a lot of people are listening to our advice, finding alternative routes and staying away from that area, and we are trying to find out where the cars are going by going out and having a look.

"It's very early days so we are cautiously optimistic.

"A lot of the schools haven't gone back yet, so we will find that the morning peak particularly changes in the city once the schools have gone back.

"We really are trying not to draw too many conclusions from today because it's not typical.

"Tomorrow and Wednesday will show us if we have any problems or not.

"And if we have, then we will have to rethink our traffic management measures."

Meanwhile traffic censuses were continuing around the city.

A council spokesman urged motorists to be patient.

He said that the censuses were necessary to plan traffic measures in the future and should not delay motorists for more than a few minutes.

Updated: 11:38 Monday, October 29, 2001