PLANS to keep traffic moving in Ripon during a major roadbuilding project have been unveiled.

North Yorkshire County Council, working with Ripon City Partnership and local businesses, has drawn up the plans to try to ensure that congestion is kept to a minimum during the building of a new link road connected with a major development, including a supermarket, on derelict land behind the market place.

Coltsgate Hill will be closed to traffic during construction, which is expected to last until the end of the year.

For traffic travelling from the west side of the city, the diversion will be via Blossomgate and Westgate. The one-way system in Westgate will be reversed.

For traffic travelling from the north and east sides of the city, the diversion will be via the market place, Duck Hill, Water Skellgate, Somerset Row, Mallorie Park Drive, Studley Road and Church Lane.

Drivers of vehicles from outside the city who would normally use Coltsgate Hill will be encouraged to use the bypass and Boroughbridge Road, avoiding travel through the market place.

As well as the reversal of the one-way system in Westgate, there will be a ban on traffic turning right from Water Skellgate. The county council said these measures should reduce the flow of traffic through the Water Skellgate and Harrogate Road traffic lights, which had proved a problem area in the past when Coltsgate Hill was closed.

Pedestrian access from North Street to Coltsgate Hill will be maintained at all times.

An implementation date for the alterations to traffic arrangements will be announced once a start date for the retail development scheme has been finalised.

Coun John Fort, executive member for business and environmental services at the county council, said: ''Our aim throughout is to provide this vital new piece of the city's infrastructure while at the same time ensuring that life continues as near normally as possible.''