New junction bid to cut Malton traffic congestion (From Gazette & Herald)

New junction bid to cut road congestion in Malton and Norton

11:53am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News By Karen Darley

TRAFFIC levels will be monitored on roads around Malton and Norton for the next six months following the opening of the Brambling Fields junction.

The junction work now allows eastbound traffic to use the A64 to reach Norton – without having to make the stop-start journey through the centre of Malton.

Congestion associated with this route led to the town centre being designated an Air Quality Management Area.

North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council will now work with the town councils and other stakeholders, including local hauliers, to make sure that the benefits of the new A64 junction, which has been forecast to reduce traffic passing through the Butcher Corner junction in Malton by up to 30 per cent, are achieved in a pragmatic and helpful way.

Coun Keith Knaggs (Cons), leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “This project has been long been recognised locally as essential for the future of Malton and Norton, and Ryedale District Council, in partnership with the county council and local people, has fought for many years for this major road upgrade – during a time of very limited funding for new infrastructure.

“This new slip road means that we can improve the air quality in Malton town centre, make it a better and safer place for business and shopping and bring forward new jobs and homes for Ryedale people.”

County Coun Gareth Dadd (Cons), North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and planning services, said: “This scheme represents a major investment by the county council in improving conditions in the centre of Malton and Norton by removing traffic, including heavy vehicles, and has resulted from close working with Ryedale District Council and the Highways Agency.”

Highways Agency project manager John Howard said: “The Highways Agency was happy to support this project and recognises that it offers major environmental and economic benefits for local communities.”