Farmers’ livelihoods could be at risk from a one-way traffic order near Farnhill.

North Yorkshire County Council wants to make it illegal for traffic from Farnhill to enter the A629 at Cononley Lane Ends.

Chris Craven, North Yorkshire County Council Highways area manager, said: “That junction is the sixth-highest-risk for injury accidents in the Craven area and it’s 47th in the whole of North Yorkshire.”

The council’s Accident Investigation and Prevention Team says stopping people leaving by the junction could eliminate injuries there, he said.

The one-way order is one of two measures proposed to cut accidents at the crossroads. The other is a high-friction surface, which could be put down in the next couple of months as it does not require consultation.

Mr Craven said the county council had received letters of objection to the one-way order. Farnhill Parish Council said it would severely affect heavy goods vehicles, high vehicles, school buses and local farmers, who relied on the road.

Parish council chairman Mike Scarffe said: “It’s not a good junction, especially when it’s busy. But stopping people exiting the junction will drive traffic elsewhere.”

Farnhill councillors say it is the only accessible road in the area for animal transport, due to height restrictions at the culvert on Main Street, Farnhill, and weight restrictions on the canal bridges at Priestbank Road, Kildwick, and Bradley.

“This could deprive them [farmers] of their livelihood and put them out of business,” said Coun Scarffe.

Farnhill councillor Helen Law, who lives on Main Street, said: “I know there will be a lot of people who object. It is a dangerous junction and, while turning left isn’t too bad, turning right is a different matter.

“I don’t like that junction and I tend not to go that way unless I absolutely have to. But if they block it off, how are people going to get out of the village?”

North Yorkshire Conserv-ative county councillor Patrick Mulligan said: “Traffic on the A629 comes whipping around that bend and that junction is in a very difficult place.

“It’s been identified as an accident hotspot, but an ideal improvement, like a roundabout, would cost over a million pounds and wouldn’t be feasible as we head into a period of reduced public expenditure.”

Coun Mulligan, who has talked to North Yorkshire Highways and Kildwick Parish Meeting about the matter, said the county council would weigh up the safety issue against the disruption.

“I would be opposed to it because, logistically, it would create too many problems,” he said. “It would create more traffic congestion through Farnhill and Kildwick. I just don’t think the scheme is going to go through.”

The final decision will be made by Craven Area Committee once the consultation period ends.