AN experimental 18-month HGV ban on the level crossing between Malton and Norton comes into effect on Monday.

The ban on vehicles over 7.5 tonnes is designed to help to prevent congestion and improve air quality in the area, particularly at Butcher Corner in Malton. Trading Standards officers will initially monitor the ban’s effectiveness.

Cllr Di Keal, town and district councillor for Norton West and founder member of Action on Traffic, Malton and Norton, said: "We welcome the HGV ban as we consider it will make a difference to congestion and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, especially in Castlegate. But this should just be seen as a starting point for other changes that are urgently needed in the towns to compliment the ban.

"Action on Traffic has already submitted its suggestions to the county council, including possible one-way routes and improved traffic light co-ordination at Butcher Corner, and we would urge them to look at implementing other measures as soon as possible alongside the ban.

"It is short-sighted to think that the HGV ban alone will make a huge difference to congestion - it needs to be part of a much wider programme of change if we are going to see major improvements for local people."

Norton county councillor Keane Duncan told last week’s Ryedale Area Committee that the ban could prove to be a “disaster” if further work was not conducted.

He said: “It is important to point out that the restriction is in place across the level crossing only, not Butcher Corner itself. This means that once HGVs are on the Malton side of the river, they actually remain free to drive through the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) – the most polluted area of Malton.

“In fact, for hauliers supplying businesses between the level crossing and Butcher Corner, the ban may actually force more HGV traffic to pass through the very area the ban is hoping to improve.

“I would like to see all HGV routes looked at in detail and a series of exemptions considered. I think this is the only viable way forward. Without consideration of where HGVs are travelling to and from, the ban could prove to be a disaster and defeat the entire object of the initiative.”

Cllr Duncan also raised concerns about the impact of the ban on other areas of town.

“The HGV ban is not a golden solution to Malton’s traffic problems, and it highlights again the desperate need for bypass infrastructure improvements. Work on the Malton and Norton Study continues and I hope we can identify a number of other measures to help alleviate traffic and improve air quality.”

Malton county councillor Lindsay Burr said that she was concerned that the Brambling Fields roundabout was not fit for purpose.

"I have had over 70 complaints from drivers, HGVs in particular, and I've been told for several years by the so called experts, the round about is perfectly fine and if vehicles can't get round the round about, this is due to bad driving," she added.

"Now that the HGV ban is set to come in to force shortly, the Highways Agency have agreed to re-look at the roundabout and make improvements.

"These improvements have been a long time coming, but I am sure a lot of people will welcome the good news."