CAMPAIGNERS for an lorry ban in Malton and Norton have reacted angrily to plans for a further consultation despite concerns over high pollution levels.

Earlier this year, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) carried out a consultation to create a weight restriction across the level crossing in Norton to help improve the area’s air quality.

Replies were received from six of the consultees, including North Yorkshire Police, NYCC Traffic Engineering Team, Norton Town Council and Ryedale District Council.

However, the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said: "We wish to raise concern about the proposed limits and the impact this will have upon our members.

"While the use of the crossing by agricultural vehicles is limited in number, this potential restriction could further compound existing limits already put in place on other crossing points for the River Derwent. We therefore request that the proposal has an exemption built into it for agricultural vehicles."

In a report to today's (Wednesday) Ryedale Area Committee, NYCC area highways manager Richard Marr said the majority feeling was that a 7.5 tonne weight restriction should be implemented.

"However, there has been no correspondence received from residents, local businesses or hauliers and as these groups are seen as possibly being adversely affected by the restriction, officers feel it is important to hear their comments before any decision is taken."

Councillor Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: "I am extremely disappointed that NYCC is recommending yet more consultation before a decision can be made on implementing the HCV (Heavy Commercial Vehicle) weight restriction at Norton level crossing.

"I am sure most of us would have expected that by now the residents, hauliers and local businesses should have been consulted as a fundamental part of the process. It is high time the complementary measures to maximise the benefits of the construction of the Brambling Fields junction were implemented. The improvements to air quality have to be a big consideration when arriving at this decision."

Air quality campaigner Simon Thackray, from Brawby, said: "All parties, including the NFU, should be reminded that the alternative route for HCV traffic over the River Derwent, which avoids the level crossing, Norton Road / Railway Street and Castlegate, is via the Brambling Fields junction onto the A64.

He added: "Brambling Fields was built in order to remove the most polluting vehicles form the centre of Malton and thereby improve the air quality in the Malton Air Quality Management Area

"The HCV restriction over the level crossing is about protecting the health of vulnerable people, not about the potential inconvenience caused by the re-routing of heavy commercial vehicles."