A BUSINESSOWNER has raised concerns over changes to a main road junction.

Tony Boorman, whose family has run the petrol station, Tyke2000 Ltd, in Norton, for more than 30 years, said the alterations to the junction at Church Street and Welham Road, were affecting his business and leading to traffic congestion.

“North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) Highways in its wisdom is trying to alleviate traffic congestion in Norton and Malton, and at the same time improve the air quality,” he said.

“This would require a smoother, more efficient moving on of this traffic, but by giving priority to the less numerous vehicles coming to and from Welham Road, the heavier traffic coming from Commercial Street immediately backs up creating a much larger queue then there ever was, and with a greater opportunity for poorer air quality.

“The road is our ‘life blood’.

“If customers can’t get onto the forecourt because they are either stuck in traffic, or can’t cross it, we will be in trouble, as will all the businesses that rely on us.”

Mr Boorman said he and many other drivers he had spoken to were also extra cautious when using the junction.

“When pulling up to the junction from Church Street, facing the signal box and looking left, all you can see is a mass of street furniture/signs,” he said. “Looking through this ‘distraction’ you have a maximum view of 50 metres down Welham Road before your view of oncoming traffic is obscured by a brick wall.

“You then have to figure out if the traffic coming over the bridge from Malton is turning left into Church Street or going straight on to Welham Road as drivers don’t all indicate.

“When you have figured this out, and there is a gap it’s now time to look left again.”

A spokesman for NYCC said:”Altering the priorities at the junction enables eastbound traffic in Castlegate to clear quicker and not be held up by vehicles waiting to turn right into Welham Road.

“This has the additional benefit of potentially improving the air quality.

“The council is still monitoring the effects of the junction and is looking at removing any of our signs and bollards which are superfluous or redundant.’’