A NEW group set up to campaign for action on traffic congestion and air pollution has formulated a plan to try to tackle the problem.

Action on traffic – Malton and Norton used its first meeting to discuss priorities it will take to North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) for action.

Chairman Jason Aldrich, who lives in Castlegate and has businesses in Malton and Norton, said: “About 30 people attended our first meeting and, without exception, they were all concerned about the growing congestion in our towns and the hugely detrimental impact this is having on residents' health. This is a huge area to tackle as a community group, especially in the current economic climate, when there just aren’t funds available to deliver big infrastructure projects, so we have come up with some straightforward ideas that the county and district council could deliver on a tight budget, that would make a huge difference to the congestion and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to Malton and Norton.

“We now intend to take our proposals to the county council for further discussion and put pressure on for urgent action.”

The group's priorities are: • Lobbying for the HGV ban for 7.5 tonne vehicles over the Norton level crossing and County Bridge to be introduced without further delay; • Altering traffic light priorities at Butcher Corner, Malton, to ease traffic flow; • Changing traffic priorities/routes around the Norton railway crossing to ease traffic flow; • Prioritising pedestrian and cycle access between Norton and Malton.

District and town councillor for Norton West Di Keal said: “The meeting discussed a wide range of issues that are leading to congestion in the towns and the genuine concern about the impact the traffic levels have on the health and well-being of local people."

Simon Bowens from Yorkshire & Humber Friends of the Earth said: “Friends of the Earth are launching a campaign on the damage to public health and the environment caused by congestion in towns and cities which research shows contributes to over 40,000 premature deaths in the UK each year."

The group will also focus on improving pedestrian and cycle access in Malton and Norton.

To get involved in Action on Traffic visit the Facebook page: Action on traffic – Malton and Norton.