VANDALS have repeatedly damaged traffic counters put in place to monitor the movements of HGVs in Malton and Norton.

In February, an experimental 18-month heavy goods vehicle ban was put in place on the level crossing between Malton and Norton, prohibiting goods vehicles with an operating weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

Since the ban was instituted, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has been monitoring the movement of HGVs in the area to enable it to gauge the effectiveness of the ban and to consider its next steps.

Traffic counters – which are thin tubing fastened across the width of a road – are in place on half a dozen roads around Malton and Norton. However, three of these – in Old Malton Road, Welham Road and Castlegate – have been targeted three times, with the tubing being ripped up.

Contractors have repaired the monitors only for them to be damaged again.

Di Keal, Liberal Democrat councillor for Norton West, said: “This vandalism is deeply frustrating and annoying. Like all vandalism it is instigated by a small group of individuals who seem to get a strange pleasure out of their destructive behaviour, but in this case it has serious implications for the entire population of Norton and Malton.

“Everyone in our towns are all impacted by the chronic congestion and air pollution and damaging the equipment that is in place to inform studies to improve traffic flow and reduce pollution levels is as damaging as it is stupid.

“Perhaps NYCC might also like to consider introducing some temporary CCTV in the areas that the monitoring is taking place, which would have the double benefit of monitoring HGV traffic breaching the temporary ban.”

Norton county councillor Keane Duncan said: “The motivations and identity of the vandals are a mystery, but their activity appears to be coordinated and persistent. It is extremely disruptive, costly and puts into serious jeopardy efforts to monitor our traffic woes.

He added: “Despite this setback, NYCC cannot be distracted from the severity of the situation. I continue to be concerned about the knock-on effects of the trial HGV ban and would like to see the highways team take time to consider this impact seriously.

"It is vital the right decision is made and I still think we need more time before we are able to do that. I would encourage again everyone to have their say on the future of the HGV ban as soon as possible.”

The public can give their views by emailing area4.kirbymisperton@northyorks.gov.uk.