THE district council have commissioned a report into how their plans for development in Malton and Norton will affect air quality in the towns.

The report by transport consultants Systra, completed last week, was commissioned by the council in order to help them plan development over the next 10 years.

Of the two “development scenarios” and proposed highway schemes explored by consultants, both will see a reduction in emissions according to the report, which said the reduction will be mainly due to tighter emissions standards.

It added: “This reduction over time is much more significant than the modest increases created by new developments or the changes created by the proposed highway schemes.”

Both scenarios were tested with different weight HGV bans to the level crossing at Norton, which have been proposed by North Yorkshire County Council.

A spokesman for Ryedale District Council, which commissioned the report, said: “The Malton and Norton Air Quality Assessment, produced by Systra, which is a transport planning consultancy, was provided to the council on May 15, 2017.

“It forms part of a suite of evidence-based documents to inform decisions around the location and scale of new development in Malton and Norton. This particular report evaluates air quality impacts of development scenarios within the wider context of air quality management, and makes some recommendations.

“Since its recent release, officers of the council, including those working on forward planning and environmental health, are considering its findings, and the report has been circulated to the local highways authority at North Yorkshire County Council for their consideration.

“The evidence will be considered at the Examination in Public of the Local Plan Sites Document, which it is anticipated will be published later this year.”

One of the focuses of the report was nitrogen dioxide levels. Emitted by vehicles, nitrogen dioxide inflames the lining of the lungs, increasing the likelihood of respiratory problems like bronchitis.

In several areas, the report states that the concentration of nitrogen dioxide has decreased between 2011 and 2015 - in some instances dropping down from previously illegal levels to within the 40 ugm3 limit. A kerbside monitoring station in Yorkersgate, however, remains at illegal nitrogen dioxide levels of 44 ugm3.

The report says that local road traffic is responsible for over 75 per cent of nitrogen dioxide in the so-called North and Malton Air Quality Management Area, and adds that therefore “it is crucial that the transport strategy is updated to include measures to encourage sustainable transport and reduce emissions and levels of poor air quality”.

The report also recommends that the council promotes walking and cycling and encourages electric vehicle uptake in Malton and Norton: “The council should encourage the uptake of electric vehicles in the area by ensuring that there is sufficient recharging infrastructure in the area.”