Traffic shake-up welcomed in town with pollution woes

The major new junction at Brambling Fields was due to open earlier this year but was delayed due to the bad weather.

It is hoped that traffic travelling through Malton will be cut by up to 30 per cent and that it will see a vast improvement in the air quality of Malton town centre.

Traffic queues in the towns have plagued residents and visitors for decades and heavy traffic in Malton has previously been cited as one of the reasons contributing to a £90m black hole in the economy. It is estimated that tens of millions of pounds are being spent outside Malton by residents every year, taking their custom to York or Scarborough instead.

“This project has been long been recognised locally as essential for the future of Malton and Norton and Ryedale District Council, in partnership with the county council and local people, has fought for many years for this major road upgrade – during a time of very limited funding for new infrastructure,” said Coun Keith Knaggs, Leader of Ryedale District Council.

“This new slip road means that we can improve the air quality in Malton town centre, make it a better and safer place for business and shopping and bring forward new jobs and homes for Ryedale people.”

Coun Gareth Dadd, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and planning services, added: “This scheme represents a major investment by the county council in improving conditions in the centre of Malton and Norton by removing traffic including heavy vehicles and has resulted from close working with Ryedale District Council and the Highways Agency.”

Works have been hampered by unprecedented levels of rainfall during the building period. However it opened last month and only landscaping work and a minor access road to some nearby homes still needs completing.

John Howard, Highways Agency project manager, said: “The Highways Agency was happy to support this project and recognises that it offers major environmental and economic benefits for local communities”