A LONG-awaited scheme to tackle traffic congestion and improve road safety in Malton and Norton will soon go under public consultation.

Plans developed by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) involve new traffic signals at the level crossing junction, a one-way westbound along Norton Road and upgraded traffic signals at Butcher Corner.

The scheme would see new pedestrian crossings introduced on Welham Road and Norton Road, the traffic island on Church Street removed and a new footpath built on the south side of Norton Road.

Norton county councillor Keane Duncan said: “Traffic is the key issue for everyone living in Malton and Norton.

“The changes to the level crossing junction four years ago divided opinion. Some prefer it, while others really hate it, but I think everyone agrees it could work better than it does now.

“After many years of campaigning, there is now a proposal on the table that delivers much of what the public has asked for.

“It should represent a significant improvement, not just for motorists, but for cyclists and pedestrians too.

“The new traffic signals at the level crossing would allow drivers a fair chance to manoeuvre safely from all directions.

“This should cut queues, optimise the flow of traffic and hopefully help prevent ‘rat running’ in St Nicholas Street.

“New pedestrian crossings, the one-way on Norton Road and improved signals at Butcher Corner should hopefully be of benefit too.

“The county council will soon be inviting public views on the proposal.

“ It is vital everyone has their say – positive and negative – so the council can get this tricky area right once and for all.”

Changes to the level crossing junction were put in place four years ago as one of the complementary measures associated with the opening of the Brambling Fields junction.

 

Concerns over the change to the junction led to a petition of 600 signatures calling for the county council to change it back to its previous layout where priority was given to traffic coming from Church Street.
A campaign group, Norton & Malton Local Traffic Congestion, was also set up in a bid to voice their frustration at changes to the road layout.
Last year a permanent ban on vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes on Norton level crossing was also confirmed, following the conclusion of an experimental restriction that came into force in February 2018, with the aim of improving air quality. 
The consultation heard that there had been an improvement to air quality particularly in Wheelgate and Castlegate, however there were concerns that HGVs were being displaced onto other routes.
The following improvements are proposed:
1. Technology changes to Butcher Corner junction
a. New ‘right turn green arrow’ for traffic coming from Castlegate
b. Upgrade of technology to better control traffic lights and manage traffic flow
2. Traffic signal control at Welham Road/Church Street/Norton Road/Castlegate junction linking with rail level crossing
a. Traffic signal control added to the junction
b. New pedestrian crossings across Welham Road and Norton Road
c. Minor changes to layout such as removing the traffic island adjacent to the Church Street junction
3. Infrastructure changes at the Welham Road/Church Street/Norton Road/Castlegate junction
a. Norton Road to be one-way westbound to reduce traffic movements onto the level
crossing
b. One-way system westbound on Norton Road will free up road space to accommodate a new footpath/cycleway towards the train station.