CONCERNS are growing over potential traffic chaos with the transfer of hundreds of police and civilian staff into the centre of North Yorkshire’s county town.

Work is well underway on the transformation of the former Rural Payments Agency building at Alverton Court in Northallerton into a new £7m headquarters for North Yorkshire police.

They are due to move from their existing 330-year-old headquarters at Newby Wiske in early autumn after the purchase was agreed by Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan.

The agency pulled out in 2014 with the loss of 350 jobs and the move into the town by the police has been welcomed by many.

But Northallerton county councillor David Blades said there was concern over the numbers of vehicles that will be using the new headquarters. There are less than 200 parking spaces currently on the site and up to 430 police and civilian staff.

“It is an issue. It’s not just the staff - there will be other police vehicles too and we’re not sure how many parking spaces are being provided. I have approached Julia Mulligan but time is now running short.

“There is a lot happening in that area with the redevelopment of the prison and there is a primary school . What we don’t want are traffic problems right in the middle of the town.

“We welcome them but there have been problems for years with the county council headquarters and we don’t want that repeated.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said she had met with Cllr Blades to discuss the issue. “There are options and actions we can and are taking to help, we will continue to ensure all possibilities are fully explored. This includes working with the council and other partners locally.”