The Way We Were - On track for new rail barriers

A BRITISH Railways scheme for the installation of lifting barriers in place of the gates at Norton level crossing gets under way soon.

The railway intends to carry out improvements to the line at the same time, and so the existing crossing will be closed to traffic for 24 hours.

It is hoped to have the lifting barriers in operation by January 21. These will have flashing lights to warn motorists that they are about to drop into place, and will be controlled by the signalman in the box at the junction.

When the scheme was announced some months ago, the two urban councils expressed concern about the safety of children and animals, but were reassured when British Railways explained that the barriers would have skirts of netting, which would prevent unauthorised access to the lines.

An East Riding County Highways surveyor said the road junction would also be altered slightly to try to improve the access from the crossing to Welham Road.

A WALK-OUT of the five members for the town of Kirkbymoorside from Wednesday’s meeting of the Housing Committee of Kirkbymoorside Rural Council followed a statement that they had no confidence in the council chairman, Councillor John Wood, of Gillamoor.

Councillors Mrs EB Cate, HH Gibson, S Bowes and B Hammond, led by Councillor E Taylor, walked out in protest after the committee chairman, Councillor TH Strickland, ruled that Coun Taylor could not continue with a prepared statement he was making on behalf of his four colleagues.

An allegation that only a few selected members were allowed to speak at meetings was one of several made in that statement.

Coun Taylor said he was speaking on behalf of all members from Kirkbymoorside town, and in some cases expressing the view of members outside the town.

From the Yorkshire Gazette & Herald from this week in 1980

A PETITION raised in an unspoilt Ryedale village, against a proposed caravan development on the doorstep, has been signed by 90 per cent of the electors – more than 100 people.

Lillings Ambo is fighting to persuade Ryedale Development and Planning Committee meeting on Monday not to give planning permission for a 120-space touring caravan development on Lilling’s border with Sheriff Hutton.

The villagers do not want the caravans on the six-acre site because they say It would destroy the peace and character of the area; a lot of Lilling people are elderly folk who live alone, who would be nervous of the effect of a large influx of caravan dwellers; there are no amenities like shops, inns and places of amusement.

The caravan site would bring pressure for these and the villagers do not want them; there are fears that sewage and surface water drainage would cause flooding in the already overloaded Howl Beck; there are also fears for the safety of caravan children who might stray into Howl Wood, where there is a ravine up to 80ft deep in places.

MORE than half the workforce at a Helmsley hi-fi factory has been made redundant after the appointment of a receiver.

The town’s only light engineering firm, AR Sugden & Co (Engineers) Ltd, employed about 45 people, mainly women working on assembly lines.

Mr Arnold Sugden said that he could make no comment on the situation at the Sawmill Lane factory other than to confirm that a receiver had been brought in and that about one-third of the employees had been handed their last pay packets.

When working at full capacity, the factory, which makes turntables, pickup arms, turntable kits and cartridges, was turning out between 1,500 to 2,000 units a month.

Mr Sugden, a pioneer of the stereo, blamed a loss of sales on higher interest and mortgage rates, and the detrimental effect on exports of the appreciating pound.

IN THE PICTURE: John Pinkney has sent this photograph to the Gazette & Herald.

It was taken at Malton station after the floods in 1947.

He has been able to identify some of the people on the picture, but if you can help, pop in to our Malton office, in Yorkersgate, or phone 01653 699699.

Mr Pinkney believes, from the right, is Ted Rapp, Mr Proudfoot (stationmaster) and Frank Pickett.

He is not sure who the men standing on the buffer are but the man on the left is engine driver Jack Burdon