KEY elements of the Royal Ascot at York traffic system will be used again for the John Smith's meeting later this week.

City of York Council said today it wanted traffic to flow in and out of the city with the minimum of disruption and inconvenience to local residents when up to 38,000 racegoers converge on York Racecourse on Friday and Saturday.

It said it was re-introducing some of the most successful elements of the system which had helped reduce congestion during Royal Ascot:

The approach to the course will be via the A64, with no entry from any other direction

Campleshon Road and Knavesmire Road will be one way only, and restricted to use by taxis, private hire vehicles, buses and permit holders

There will be no access to the A64 or Bishopthorpe via Tadcaster Road between 9.30am and 2pm, with all traffic leaving the main car park on Knavesmire only allowed to turn left between 4pm and 9pm.

Church Lane, in Bishopthorpe, will also be one-way again between 4pm and 9pm to help traffic exit the bus park swiftly. "This will mean a small diversion for traffic travelling into the city between these times," said a spokesman.

However, some parts of the Royal Ascot at York plan will not be revived.

Vehicle control barriers will not be used in the South Bank area, with No Waiting cones used instead, and there will be no additional temporary parking restrictions in use in Tadcaster Road, Church Lane or Bishopthorpe Road.

There will be no car park in Sim Balk Lane, which will remain two-way, Terry Avenue will remain closed to vehicles, including taxis, and access off the A64 from the Leeds direction will be one lane only. Motorists will also be able to get into Copmanthorpe using the Top Lane junction.

Bill Woolley, acting director of environment and development, said: "Before Ascot, we promised that we would consult with local residents and businesses to see how we could improve the traffic system. The timing of the John Smith's Meeting hasn't allowed us to do this yet, but we still want to see how we can improve things for York race meetings and find out which bits of the plan we keep and which bits we want to scrap or change.

"We are continuing to work with York Racecourse to come up with a traffic plan that can be used for all race meetings in the city and hope that the plan will continue to evolve and improve over the course of the season."

Meanwhile, the Queen's representative at Royal Ascot in York, said the event showcased "the very best that the United Kingdom has to offer". The Duke of Devonshire, who also chairs the Ascot Board, showered praise on the event in a glowing letter to civic leaders in York. He said the event "enhanced the reputation of York, and racing".

Updated: 14:07 Monday, July 04, 2005