A64 Brambling Fields junction opening delayed (From Gazette & Herald)

A64 Brambling Fields junction opening delayed

11:17am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Karen Darley

Work continues at Brambling Fields

THE opening date for the A64 Brambling Fields junction has been put back again because of last week’s rain.

Initially due to open before the start of the holiday period in June, the date has been revised throughout the summer with hopes that the road would hope by the end of August.

However, the Highways Agency has said this week that rain over the bank holiday weekend, and continuing into the week, had again delayed works which started in January.

A spokesperson said: “Once the ground conditions at the site improve, we will work to open the junction as soon as possible. This will be dependent on a period of reasonable weather that allows the site to dry out so the final stages of work can take place.”

Malton business owner Denys Townsend, who has been campaigning for alterations to the traffic light system at Butcher Corner in Malton to help reduce congestion, said everyone was frustrated by the lack of action.

“I have done a couple of petitions and everybody is of the same mind that something needs to be done,” he said.

“A delivery driver took one and a half hours last week to get from Norton to our shop in Market Place. Perhaps everyone should get together one Friday afternoon and march up Castlegate in protest – I cannot understand why nothing is being done about this locally.”

Coun Paul Andrews , a member of Malton Town Council and Ryedale District Council, questioned the long-term financial costs to the area.

“The contract was for £3.6million although the council has a budget of £5.5million and it is now in to £4.4million and the longer this goes on the more money the contractors get out of this,” he said, “The whole situation is dreadful and disgraceful and I feel sorry for traders in Norton, plus the development in Malton and Norton that is going to be need to pay for this scheme is going to cause more problems than it will solve.”

Coun Brian Maud, who raised questions about the scheme at Ryedale District Council’s July meeting, said it was very disappointing that the opening had been delayed further.

“It was originally supposed to be closed for 24 weeks and that has now reached 36 weeks and while it will be a great relief when it finally does open I do question how much difference it is going to make,” he said.

“I don’t think it has been taken into account the effect this scheme has had on traders never mind the financial cost – it has been an absolute disaster.”