RE: Call for two roundabouts. Cllr Thackray is entirely correct in his thinking - proper, practical solutions are needed to prevent Malton from becoming a non-stop traffic jam.

Through traffic in most towns was a problem solved in the 1970s - unfortunately, the full potential of Malton bypass has never quite been realised.

As a farmer and now retired haulier, we use Ryedale’s road regularly. Frequently, there is a need to congest Malton, for reasons maybe not immediately obvious. Landmarks such as the monument archways around Castle Howard prevent large vehicles getting from northern Ryedale to the westbound A64, making a diversion via Horsemarket Road in Malton necessary.

The measures suggested by myself and Mr Thackray would relieve Malton of a significant volume of traffic in this area. Similarly, Butcher Corner would be much safer, and cleaner but for the addition of a simple roundabout at the western end of the bypass, to primarily facilitate the steadily growing York Road industrial estate traffic.

The priority, though, must surely be the safety of a large number of people in the Peasey Hill area. Directing a high volume of heavy traffic past two primary schools in a very built up area was a decision of questionable logic at best. One single slip road from the eastbound B1257 onto the eastbound A64 would cut this volume by a very significant percentage. Another slip road from the westbound A64 to the B1257 would reduce the danger still further. There isn’t necessarily the need for a full roundabout and flyover in the first instance.

It doesn’t need to cost tens of millions. We do not need yet more pointless surveys costing tens of thousands, what we need is practical, common sense solutions, actioned promptly.

A town with fluid traffic movement and adequate parking would be far more attractive to the customer than the frustrating jam that it has become.

Andrew Wilson, Slingsby

Value of ‘Pie in sky’

I FEEL I should respond to Jack Skidmore’s recent letter on Pickering 2020 Team. Once the nonsense about skywalks and Tuscan hill villages had gone away, a town team was formed to work on the Yorkshire Forward initiative.

A presentation on the concept of shared space was arranged and this was followed by a discussion on what mattered to the people of Pickering. More than 100 people attended this event. It became apparent that Pickering was not suitable for shared space, even had there been the will to try and do it. However, other issues raised were pursued and progress made.

The town team, with the help of Pickering in Bloom, match-funded from Yorkshire Forward for benches to be installed around the centre of town, including the Market Place. They are all still in place and very well used.

Funds were also matched with monies from RDC to enable the commissioning and installation of the Tim Bulmer interpretive maps, still in situ in the town and car parks to help visitors.

Much work was put into the development of a bid to Heritage Lottery Fund to create a signed and interpreted heritage trail around the town based on the work of the then town guides.

Unfortunately this bid was unsuccessful and the initiative lapsed with the closure of Yorkshire Forward.

However the residual funds were passed on to the Civic Society to pursue the aim of a town trail and eventually was used on the production of the recent town guide produced by the town council.

The “pie in the sky” was replaced with practical developments that continue to add value to Pickering.

William Oxley, former chairman of Pickering Town Team

Lessons are clear

MAY I take this opportunity to congratulate Emma Brooksbank on her detailed and revealing story about the “Supermarket Saga” in Malton.

Her details of the many district council officer reports, the local councillors and their associates and the ultimate £2 million cost to the local residents in defending the undefendable, says a great deal about local government.

My greatest fear is that as this saga has taken place in Ryedale, one of the smaller district authorities, are similar things going on across the country - even perhaps, dare I suggest, within Central Government?

I would advise every councillor and officer to read and inwardly digest the contents of this superb book and ensure that open debate and clear community opinions are properly and correctly debated without control from external businesses, senior officers with hidden agendas or political bodies.

The lessons are clear and detailed with all the relevant and previously hidden documentation revealed for all to view.

David Lloyd-Williams, Norton