'HGV ban will not reduce congestion or pollution'

An experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be introduced in the spring to stop vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes from using the level crossing in Norton.

North Yorkshire County Council agreed to the 18-month order in November with further consultations currently underway on the criteria for any exemptions to the restriction.

However, Andrew Wilson, a partner at C J Wilson in Slingsby, said alternative practical solutions were needed.

"I feel, as a local haulier and farmer carrying goods through Malton and Norton, that we ought to perhaps offer our views on this subject," he said.

"HGVs seem to get lambasted for being polluting vehicles. Actually, they are very clean. New technology was introduced in 2005 which had a huge impact on cleaning up emissions. Very few cars even now have this facility.

"It is worth remembering that everything bought in a shop gets there in a truck of one description or another, and in most cases a process to produce the goods requires trucks to move things from one stage of the process to another - like pigs being taken to the bacon factory, then the meat being distributed to the shops."

Mr Wilson there were a number of reasons why there are a lot of lorries in Malton and Norton.

"Anything heading to York Road Industrial Estate, from the east of Malton, has little option but to come off the A64 at Old Malton and head straight through Butcher Corner traffic lights to get to its destination. A simple slip road off the westbound carriageway into the industrial estate would reduce this significantly," he said.

"Traffic heading west of Malton from the B1257 has to go down Horsemarket Road to get to York Road - another slip road from the B1257 to the A64 westbound would eliminate this.

"Traffic heading east of Malton from the B1257 has to either go to Butcher Corner or over Peasey Hill to get to the A64, including those heading to Norton Grove Industrial estate. Another simple slip road onto the eastbound A64 would solve this problem.

"Similarly traffic from the A64 wouldn't need to go through the town to get to the B1257 if appropriate slip roads were in place."

Mr Wilson added: "A full flyover and roundabout isn't immediately necessary - slip roads and giveway lines clearly marked would be a huge help, even traffic lights if so desired wouldn't be any more of a chore than those at the top of Newbiggin currently.

"Let's start using Malton's bypass for its intended use and make it easy for all through traffic to avoid going through the town, and make it easier for those doing business in the towns,not least emergency vehicles, to get about.

"Simply banning vehicles and adjusting priorities will not reduce congestion and hence pollution, that can only be done by means of alternative, practical solutions."