RESIDENTS of Helmsley have given a firm thumbs-down to moves to ban parking in its Market Place.

Instead, they have supported a county council highways department option to introduce a scheme of minimal changes to the market town's traffic management.

Three options have been drawn up which went to public consultation recently.

Members of Helmsley Town Council were told this week that 60pc backed option A, which envisages action being taken to lower speed limits and improve road safety in the area of the town's county primary school, Ashdale Road, and from Canon Garth Mews to Carlton Lane.

Nearly half of all residents (49pc) rejected option B, which envisages making Bridge Street one-way, and changes to traffic systems in Bondgate, Station Road and Castlegate, and installation of a puffin crossing in the centre. Only 44pc were in favour of that option.

Option C would have seen parking banned from the market place, but 66pc of residents were against that option, with only 23pc in favour.

The views will go before the county council's area committee for Ryedale when it meets at Nawton on October 9.

Lord Feversham, chairman of the town authority, said it had been "a crazy" exercise. "There were probably two or three things in each scheme which might be good for Helmsley."

Councillors heard there had been a 40pc response to the public consultation exercise following a public exhibition and after house-to-house surveys were carried out.

Lord Feversham urged Helmsley people to go along to the county committee meeting where they could have an opportunity to express their views.

Traders and residents were praised by the council for their support in helping Helmsley to reach sixth place in this Yorkshire in Bloom awards.

Coun John Buffoni urged improvements to the approach to Helmsley from the Thirsk direction. He said that while the hedge had been cut back to reveal the town's name sign and the 30mph road sign, following complaints, "a more welcoming" approach was needed.

He compared the approach to that at Kirkbymoorside which he said was attractive.

"We are the gateway to the National Park and our signs should reflect it," he said.

The council agreed to have a site meeting to explore ideas to improve the approach.

Complaints were made about the standard of grass cutting in Helmsley, and the failure to remove cuttings.

The council is to write to Ryedale Housing Association, which is paid by the council to carry out cutting, and also to Ryedale District Council about the standard of its work on the verges.

Councillors called for action to improve the Cleveland Way car park, which had been criticised by judges in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition for its unsighly appearance.

Lord Feversham said: "Helmsley people are irritated that Ryedale District Council makes a lot of money out of car parking but puts little back into the parks in maintenance."

A commemorative plaque is to be fixed on a large rock to mark the completion of the new jubilee playground, created to mark the Queen's golden jubilee, and funded by Ryedale District Council and the town council.

Updated: 09:31 Wednesday, October 02, 2002