Main road in North Yorkshire town reopens both ways

Church Street in Norton has opened to traffic following a three day partial closure.

Concerns had been raised over the 'total chaos' in the town with calls to alter the roadwork diversions currently in place.

The Mayor of Norton, Cllr Di Keal said she was concerned over the danger to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians at the Welham Road and St Nicholas Street junction at the level crossing today in Norton.

Cllr Keal, said: "Having witnessed "the total chaos" I have contacted Northern Gas Networks (NGN) again to request a sensible option of reversing the diversion they have put in place which makes no sense at all.
"In the meantime please drive carefully in the area - the turn into St Nicholas Street from Welham Road travelling from Church Street - where you have to pull onto the wrong side of the road - is ludicrous and dangerous, especially when others are trying to turn from the BP garage side - whoever has planned this has zero knowledge of the road layout."

Meanwhile, Cllr Keane Duncan, who represents, Norton, said he continues to liaise with NGN and North Yorkshire Council on behalf of local residents, said the reopening of Church Street should ease congestion and allow Coastliner buses heading to Scarborough to serve Norton once again.

"The site manager reported that traffic is “flowing well” overall as people become familiar with the closures and diversions. He did not identify any major safety concerns at present."

Cllr Duncan said he has asked NGN and North Yorkshire Council to consider a clockwise diversion to help traffic flow.