THE traffic plan which aims to save York from roads chaos during Royal Ascot could be wheeled out for other major Knavesmire events.

An experimental traffic order, advertised today, reveals the restrictions that will be put in place when York Racecourse holds the event from June 14 to 18.

The order comes into force on June 6, but will not end until October 31, 2006. City of York Council bosses today said the length of the order meant parts of the scheme could be re-used.

The move was backed by York bus company First, which sees some of its services severely disrupted on race days.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are just being prepared. We are treating the Royal Ascot at York meeting as a way of learning how we could manage York meetings in a better way. Some £55,000 of the cost of the traffic and travel arrangements provides us with a permanent legacy of work that we can use at York race meetings and other major events on the course. "

The Royal Ascot plan will see all race traffic funnelled in and out of York through the A64. There will also be parking restrictions in the streets surrounding the racecourse - with South Bank made permit only.

Council and Ascot bosses hope that by keeping the majority of cars outside the immediate Knavesmire area, the city centre can avoid gridlock, although bosses have admitted there will still be congestion.

Peter Edwards, First commercial director, said it would support any moves that could help ease the journey for passengers.

Mr Edwards said: "For a long time we have been vexed by the amount of disruption that race traffic causes. People who are not going to the races need to get around and if this can provide us with a solution for other race meetings then we are all for it."

Updated: 11:10 Friday, May 27, 2005