MALTON and Norton residents are being invited to share their views on ambitious proposals to tackle congestion in the towns.

Junction improvements, new pedestrian crossings and changes to road layouts are among the plans in the Malton Norton Improvement Scheme.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: "The proposals seek to bring significant benefits to all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, whilst improving the local transport network and air quality, in spite of the planned increase in rail service frequency and resulting closures of the level crossing gates.

"We would like to receive the views of local residents. Please get in touch in order to help us finalise the details of the scheme.”

The following improvements are proposed:

1. Technology changes to Butcher Corner junction

a. New ‘right turn green arrow’ for traffic coming from Castlegate

b. Upgrade of technology to better control traffic lights and manage traffic flow

2. Traffic signal control at Welham Road / Church Street / Norton Road / Castlegate junction linking with rail level crossing

a. Traffic signal control added to the junction

b. New pedestrian crossings across Welham Road and Norton Road

c. Minor changes to layout such as removing traffic island adjacent to the Church Street junction

3. Infrastructure changes at the Welham Road / Church Street / Norton Road / Castlegate junction

a. Norton Road to be one-way westbound to reduce traffic movements onto the level crossing

b. One-way system on Norton Road will free up road space to accommodate a footpath/cycleway towards the train station

As a first step a one-way system on Norton Road will be trialled for a three month period. This will be a temporary change to allow for detailed air quality measurements to be taken to assess the impact of the re-routed traffic on the Air Quality Management Area at Butcher Corner.

Residents are invited to give their comments by completing an online survey which will run until Friday, April 30.

The survey for the proposals can be found at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NYCCMN/

Paper copies are available on request from the County Council’s customer services on 01609 780780.

Further information on the proposed scheme can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/malton-and-norton-infrastructure-scheme

Covid-19 lockdown restrictions mean it is not currently possible to hold public consultation events.