A COUNTY councillor has said it is time a one-way system was implemented through Malton and Norton.

Cllr Caroline Goodrick made the comments during discussions about traffic in the towns at last week’s meeting of the Thirsk and Malton Constituency committee.

The committee were discussing both the Malton and Norton Infrastructure and Connectivity Study and also the latest on the HGV ban at the level crossing.

Cllr Goodrick said that the HGV ban has had knock-on effects creating congestion on smaller roads outside the towns.

She said: “One of the unintended consequences has been the volume of traffic going through the villages using the very narrow lanes.

“I think it’s time for a one-way system through the whole of Malton and Norton.”

And there were calls to end the HGV ban already. Cllr Keane Duncan said it is having no effect on air quality hotspots. “There’s nothing to suggest the ban won’t be a failure going forward,” he said. “Enforcement isn’t the issue here - you could have perfect enforcement and still have an unlimited number of vehicles going through Butcher Corner.”

But Richard Marr, of North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), said that the ban, which officially started in February, had to run its full 18 months.

He said: “It hasn’t had a good start it’s fair to say. But it’s now up and running. Some who have been prosecuted will be going through the process very shortly. It’s a question of letting the experiment run.”

After six months, an NYCC report suggests that there has been a “notable decrease” in HGVs in Welham Road in Norton, a “notable increase” in HGV traffic along Highfield Road and Pasture Lane in Malton, a reduction in HGVs travelling to/from Butcher Corner via Newbiggin, and an increase in HGVs travelling to/from Butcher Corner via Old Malton Road.

According to NYCC, Trading Standards are enforcing the HGV restriction. Fifty-one vehicles are presently being investigated for breaching it, and seven have been summoned to appear in court in this month.

Mr Marr added that they will look at supplementing enforcement with analysis of footage from the recently-activated CCTV on the level crossing.

On the infrastructure and connectivity study update, the committee heard that design work on a number of “quick wins” has already started, with locations identified for a drop kerb crossing in Castlegate, a zebra crossing in Railway Street and a car parking strategy. The committee also heard that the authority is hoping to get additional funding from Network Rail in order to pay for larger interventions.

Mr Marr said: “Network Rail has indicated there is a pot of money available for odd-track measures.”