Bypass to be town’s economy saviour

The main construction work to improve the A64 Brambling Fields junction to allow traffic to bypass the congested centre of Malton, will begin in January.

The £5.5m project, which will add a slip road to the existing Brambling Fields junction close to Malton and Norton, is expected to reduce traffic passing through the Butcher Corner junction in Malton’s historic town centre by up to 30 per cent.

Heavy traffic in Malton has previously been cited for one of the reasons contributing to a £90m black hole in the economy.

Coun Keith Knaggs, the leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “This project has significant local support and the council, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, has fought long and hard for this major and long-awaited road upgrade.

“This new slip road means that we can improve the air quality in Malton town centre.

“It will make Malton a much better and safer place for business and shopping and will bring forward new jobs and homes for the people of Ryedale.”