A DISTRICT councillor is calling on fellow members to commit to building two new roundabouts outside Malton to help protect the future health of residents.

Cllr Simon Thackray said the number one priority to be resolved by Ryedale District Council (RDC) should be constructing two roundabouts, or one new roundabout and a slip road on the A64 at Musley Bank and the B1257 Broughton Road.

He said: “I believe it is crucial, in order to protect the future health and wellbeing of the residents of Malton, Old Malton and Norton, that we commit to the removal of HGV traffic from the towns.

“One of the biggest tasks facing our council is the need to improve, and thereafter maintain, air quality, and to remove the other danger to life caused by HGVs currently routing past two junior schools on Highfield Road, and a busy children’s performing arts school.

“The presence of HGVs in Wheelgate, Yorkersgate and Castlegate in Malton is a daily insult to the community.”

Plenty of words are written and spoken about these dangers, but nothing gets done. I believe that we, as responsible council members, should resolve to bite the bullet.

Promoting the health and safety of our children should come first, before cultural activity, tourism initiatives and food-based events, excluding the foodbank.

“These extra plans should form an orderly queue and wait their turn.”

Cllr Thackray added: “I also want to reach out to the hauliers for support with this initiative.

“Rather than just complaining about HGVs in the towns, I want to encourage the hauliers to join the call for the new roundabouts.

“I am sure they don’t want to be driving through the towns unnecessarily.

“They have no choice but to use the roads as they stand, and we shouldn’t demonise them for doing so.

“However, I think they can help us get this critical infrastructure built if we can harness their weight and all push in the same direction.”

Cllr Keane Duncan, leader of RDC, said: “Cllr Thackray seems to believe he’s invented the wheel with his proposal for new roundabouts.

“But this idea has in fact been on the cards for decades. I am a big supporter of all-direction access at York Road and I believe the public are too.

He added: “Anyone and everyone can shout about it, but we actually need to work to make it happen, and RDC is working very productively with North Yorkshire County Council to do so as quickly as possible.”