A GROUP set up to tackle traffic congestion and air quality has sent its action plan for proposed improvements to North Yorkshire County Council.

Action on Traffic, Malton and Norton, chaired by businessman Jason Aldrich, has come up with a series of proposals that they have fed into a feasibility study currently being funded by the county and district councils aimed at improving traffic congestion and reducing pollution in the two towns.

These include support for the proposed 7.5 tonne weight restriction on County Bridge with a quarter mile exemption zone, which will force many heavy HGVs out of the towns; improving traffic flows, including changes to traffic light priorities at Butcher Corner, plus improved pedestrian and cycle access routes.

The group also wants to see changes made to the road signage around the twin towns and on the A64 as members believe it is misleading, confusing and in some places non-existent.

It is calling for urgent action to improve signs on County Bridge where motorists are confused about right of way at the railways crossing junction.

Jason said: “Since the altered priorities at the railway crossing have been in place this has become very dangerous for pedestrians crossing both at the top end of Norton Road and in Welham Road, where some drivers are approaching the junction far too fast.

“On a wider scale, some of the build up of traffic through Malton could be improved by clear signs on the A64 directing motorists who want to go to Norton off the road at the Brambling Fields roundabout instead of the first exit into the town.

“It’s just common sense rather than adding to the queues in Malton, but it needs improved and clear signage on the A64 so that vehicles don’t come off the road too soon and add the the problem because they don’t realise there is an alternative route.”

The group is also lobbying for a pedestrian and cycle bridge between Norton and Malton railway station, which it believes will be crucial to ease congestion when the rail service through the towns increases in 2019.

Ryedale District Councillor for Norton West, Di Keal, who is a member of the group, said: “Traffic from Norton to Malton is already very busy when the rail crossing goes down and this can only get worse when the service increases.

“If parking could be provided on the Norton side of the railway and a bridge built so that pedestrians and cyclists could access the railway station and the town without needing to use the railway crossing this would be a real bonus for both towns.”