NEW street lights are to be installed on County Bridge between Malton and Norton.

The work, by North Yorkshire County Council, will involve removal of the existing street lights, installation of new foundations and new heritage-style streetlights.

The work was scheduled to start on Monday and is expected to take two weeks. It will involve overnight closures between 6.30pm and 6am on either the bridge or Norton Road.

These will not close at the same time, so access between Malton and Norton will be maintained at all times. A diversion route will be signed.

County Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said: “Ornate street lights on the bridge were removed in 2015 because they were failing and were replaced by our standard street lights.

“This was always intended as a temporary measure and we are now taking the opportunity to replace the columns with heritage-style columns, while also reinstating two missing columns.”

Antony Croser, mayor of Norton, said: “This is very welcome news that will see our historic and vital link between the two towns enhanced.

“The provision of a full set of heritage lights, with the capability of Christmas

lights being added to them, has been planned and budgeted for for some time - it is good news that the work is going to be completed soon.”

Paul Emberley, mayor of Malton said: “County Bridge is literally a bridge between our ‘one’ community of Malton and Norton, and it’s disappointing it has taken four years to see the reinstatement of this heritage lighting scheme.

“We do certainly welcome the new lights, undeniably they will enhance this essential asset for our

towns and to our living heritage.”