YORK's traffic-busting plan for race meetings will not be in operation during this week's event.

Council chiefs have announced there will be no major changes to the "normal" traffic management for the Music Showcase Weekend on Friday and Saturday.

The road network will mainly operate as normal while consultation continues over which parts of the highly-successful Ascot travel plan local residents would like to see become permanent.

Residents are being asked to give their views on the £220,000 plan, which was largely a success during Royal Ascot at York, to help shape the way future race meetings are dealt with.

Once the consultation has finished, the city's traffic chiefs can look at what measures residents and businesses would like to see for future race meetings.

How the new measures are funded will also have to be addressed. All the parties involved, including the racecourse, are now being asked to consider funding options.

This weekend's festivities will have smaller crowds than those seen at last month's John Smith's Cup Day. But pop enthusiasts will be arriving later for the concerts, which is expected to begin as the racing ends.

As a result, traffic travelling into and out of Bishopthorpe via Sim Balk Lane between 4pm and 6pm and after 8pm will be affected by race and concert traffic.

Motorists travelling into York from Bishopthorpe should follow the diversion at London Bridge traffic lights. A signed diversion route will also be in place for drivers wanting to access the village via the A64.

Updated: 10:09 Wednesday, July 20, 2005