TWO councils are looking at drastic measures - including new bridges and dual carriageway junctions - to cut traffic in a North Yorkshire town.

Malton and Norton’s traffic - and what can be done to reduce it - is at the centre of a consultation which launched yesterday.

The towns’ district and county councils have jointly started the consultation in a bid to improve congestion when rail services through the twin towns are doubled next year.

Cllr Luke Ives of Ryedale District Council said: “Congestion is already a huge concern for people in Malton and Norton, and the doubling of train services in 2019 means there’s potential for the situation to get even worse.

“It’s clear the road layout around the railway crossing continues to divide opinion, and while there’s no straightforward solution, we all agree that much more needs to be done to improve the flow of traffic.”

“Quick wins”, which could be brought in within 18 months, include linking traffic lights at Butcher Corner - in the centre of Malton - to level crossing times, as well as a new pedestrian crossing near the railway and bus stations, and signs to direct people away from the busy Butcher Corner junction and the level crossing.

The councils could even ask sat nav companies to route their directions away from the those areas.

Longer term solutions could include everything from a brand new A64 junction at Broughton Road, coordinating bus and train timetables, and even building a second platform at Malton Station. People are being asked to rate different potential measures - including a footbridge over the railway line, junction and parking changes, and efforts to get more people walking and cycling around the towns.

The two councils have appointed consultants WSP to look at a wide range of proposals, and have spoken to other groups including the town councils, Network Rail, train operating companies, Malton and Norton Area Partnership and Action on Traffic Malton and Norton

North Yorkshire’s executive member for access Cllr Don Mackenzie said that while the better rail connections for the towns are welcome, they need to to mitigate the impact of existing and future congestion on residents and businesses.

Information about the consultation is available at www.ryedale.gov.uk/malton-norton-traffic, until 12pm on Wednesday, May 16.