AN experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will be introduced to stop vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes from using the level crossing in Norton.

North Yorkshire County Council agreed to the 18-month order on Friday, which aims to help improve air quality in the immediate area around Butcher Corner in Malton.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways, said: “Public consultations have revealed there is overwhelming support for a 7.5-tonne weight restriction on the grounds of improving air quality.

“There will be further consultations in the New Year on the criteria for any exemptions to the restriction.”

Mayor of Malton and district Councillor Paul Andrews said: “A 7.5 tonne restriction is the best remedy for the highways and pollution issues which exist throughout Malton and Norton. However, it will not be the complete answer to these problems.”

District and County Councillor Lindsay Burr said: “This is long overdue and fits in with the complimentary measures which I was involved in preparing, when the Brambling Fields junction was in its first stages.

“Removing HGVs will reduce pollution and traffic and once again Malton will become a pleasant shopping experience.”

Jason Aldrich, chairman of Action on traffic – Malton and Norton, said: “We welcome the TRO as part of an ongoing campaign to improve congestion and air quality and will be looking to put increased pressure on our local authorities to implement complimentary measures.

“The county and district councils are acutely aware of the feelings of the residents of Malton and Norton and we want to keep up the pressure to enable them make the improvements necessary to make a difference.

“Clearly the larger vehicles have to go somewhere and as a group will be asking questions of NYCC highways and our MP about providing new roads and routes to enable more suitable access so that the local economy can continue to thrive and develop, but not at the risk of public health and safety.

“The overwhelming public feeling was to implement a strict enforceable ban with clear signage.

“There is no agenda from our group that is anti HGV, however our roads are now simply incompatible with current volumes of traffic.

“We will continue to try and create a safer cleaner environment, with reduced congestion to help Malton and Norton prepare the road infrastructure for future development.”