11:11am Thursday 10th December 2009
By David Jeffels
MALTON is to become the first town in North Yorkshire to be targeted for improvements to the polluted air in its town centre.
Ryedale District Council’s community services committee has given the green light to approve an air quality management order for the traffic-choked market town.
Steve Richmond, the health and environment manager, said the area affected is Butcher Corner, Yorkersgate, Wheelgate, Old Maltongate and Castlegate. As a result of the scientific study, the council will have to develop an action plan to improve the air quality.
The prime aim is to reduce traffic flows, especially HGVs, councillors were told.
Julian Rudd, the council’s head of economy in Ryedale, said a key plan was to encourage any traffic which could avoid the town centre to do so.
One possibility is a ban on HGVs thundering through Malton, he added.
Coun Howard Keal said improvements on the A64 at Brambling Fields would provide “a real opportunity” to rid Malton and Norton of a significant amount of through traffic. He wanted to see conditions improved to enable cyclists and pedestrians to move in safety between the towns over the County Bridge.
He added that a one-way traffic system in some Malton streets “cannot be dismissed lightly”. At times, said Coun Keal, it was possible to taste the pollution in the streets. He described the present high rate of pollution in Malton as “a badge of shame” but he welcomed the moves to take action to rid the streets of vehicle fumes.
Supporting the air study to ascertain levels of nitrogen dioxide, are Defra, North Yorkshire County Council, Norton Town Council, residents and businesses.
A report on the findings of the study will go before councillors in the new year.
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