Town junction is a health hazard (From Gazette & Herald)

Town junction is a health hazard

A NOTORIOUS North Yorkshire crossroads - named as one of the worst congestion hotspots in the district - is a pollution health hazard, according to a report.

Scientific tests carried out by experts at Butcher Corner, in Malton, where Yorkersgate, Wheelgate, Old Maltongate and Castlegate meet, have found that levels of the dangerous pollutants nitrogen dioxide and particulates, which can cause respiratory problems, would exceed EU safety limits.

The findings of the report, carried out over six months by NETCEN for Ryedale District Council, will put pressure on North Yorkshire County Council as the highways authority to review the traffic management systems in the twin Ryedale towns of Malton and Norton.

In the report, which was received by members of the community services and licensing committee at a meeting last night, Steven Richmond, the council's environmental health manager, said that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were likely to exceed the UK annual average objective in 2005 in all four of the roads leading up to the junction and the crossroads itself.

Tests showed that while objectives for levels of particulates were likely to be met for this year, the new provisional UK objective levels for particulates in 2010 would be breached.

Mr Richmond said NETCEN has recommended that a detailed survey should be carried out of queuing and congestion throughout the day at Butcher Corner and Castlegate as far back as the Norton level crossing to assess the problem further.

"Failure to meet the objectives for nitrogen dioxide and particulates in the coming years will require the declaration of an air quality management area," said Mr Richmond.

"Although the NETCEN report advises that there is at present no need to declare an air quality management area, the council cannot afford to be complacent with regard to road traffic pollution and should continue to work with its partners to secure road improvements and measures to minimise the traffic in the town centre."

If the crossroads is declared an air quality management area the council will have to produce an action plan for improvements in air quality.

Coun Linda Cowling said it was vital that action was taken to get heavy vehicles out of Malton town centre. "You can smell and taste pollution," she said.

Coun Nellie Trevelyan called for the council to look at its tourism policies, which aimed to attract more people to Ryedale by car.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "We are reviewing all our traffic strategies for all the market towns, Malton included. Any research like this that we have available will be taken into consideration."

Updated: 10:44 Friday, June 04, 2004