A LOCAL councillor has said the level of disruption residents of a North Yorkshire town are facing from tomorrow (Wednesday) is 'unacceptable.'
People living in the Welham Road area of Norton are facing an eight mile diversion to reach Malton and Norton from Wednesday.
Northern Gas Networks is extending their one-way closure of Welham Road, forcing residents of 500+ homes to divert 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 for two weeks, while St Nicholas Street will no longer be open as the diversion route.
Cllr Keane Duncan, who represents Norton, is now urging North Yorkshire Council to step in revoke the roadworks permit granted to Northern Gas Networks until an alternative plan can be agreed.
“This level of disruption is entirely unacceptable,” said Cllr Duncan. “Northern Gas Networks are acting totally contrary to the plan agreed at the outset of the works - and to add extra insult have given our community less than 24 hours’ notice of the change.
“I have urgently contacted North Yorkshire Council to ask them to take immediate action to revoke the permit granted for these works until an alternative plan is agreed.
“This situation leaves residents of 500+ properties on Welham Road and adjoining streets effectively cut off, and told to access Malton and the rest of Norton by travelling eight miles via Langton, which is the official signed diversion route.
“We know that many people will inevitably use Bazley’s Lane instead, but this is a route that is subsiding and single track. It is an entirely unsuitable route for the expected high volumes of traffic and this is a major safety concern.
“This is a situation NGN promised would be avoided in advance of the works commencing. It is disappointing that they appear to have broken their word and with woefully short notice.”
NGN confirmed today (Tuesday) they are extending its one-way road closure to the Springfield Garth junction early Wednesday morning. This will mean anyone travelling down Welham Road will need to follow the same diversion route currently in place for HGVs via Langton. This is expected to be in place for two weeks.
NGN said access to Welham Road from the level crossing direction will be maintained. Signs will be in place to deter motorists from using Bazley’s Lane.
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