Motorists warned as Welham Road, Norton closed for two weeks

Cllr Di Keal is asking drivers coming down Welham Road to follow the diversion signs and not try to get through the roadworks in the wrong direction.
She said: "The road is now closed heading towards Church Street - with numerous road closed and diversion signs in place - for these essential gas works and anyone going past the no entry signs is actually committing an offence.
"The team from Northern Gas Networks are trying to get the work they need to do completed as quickly as possible and get the road open again.
"I realise the diversion is an inconvenience for local people, but please be patient and drive respectfully while this section of the work is completed."

Cllr Keane Duncan is now urging North Yorkshire Council and NGN to agree an alternative plan.

“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 require NGN to put in place an alternative plan.

“The change 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.”

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has explained why a two-week closure of a main road in a North Yorkshire town needed.

NGN is carrying out a 17-week project to replace ageing metal gas pipes with more durable plastic ones, aiming to secure a safe and reliable gas supply for homes and businesses in the area.

Stewart Whitehead, site manager for Northern Gas Networks, said: "We're pleased to have reopened Church Street and thank residents and businesses for their patience while we completed this phase of our essential work.

"Due to the location of the railway, to enable our essential work to proceed safely, it has been necessary to extend the road closure on Welham Road to the Springfield Garth junction for approximately two weeks.

"We recognise that the extended diversion will mean some journeys take longer and customers should allow extra time to travel and follow the signed diversion via Langton rather than using Whitewall or Bazeley's Lane."

The existing one-way road closure on Welham Road will be extended to the Springfield Garth junction for approximately two weeks.

Traffic heading towards Malton from Stamford Bridge will need to follow a diversion via Langton.

Vehicles travelling on Welham Road from the Malton side will not be affected.

Additional signs will be placed at every junction, including warnings to avoid Whitewall and Bazeley’s Lane.

Once this phase is finished, multi-way temporary traffic lights will be introduced on Welham Road to manage flow as work continues.

Mr Whitehead said: "Following the traffic management in place is essential to protect residents, road users and our teams while we complete this work and secure a safe, reliable gas supply for Norton for years to come."

Access for residents will be maintained throughout the project.

Shops and businesses in the area remain open as usual.

The works have been planned in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council.

Anyone with questions about the scheme can contact NGN’s customer care team on 0800 040 7766 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk.