Today the junction of Railway Street and Yorkersgate in Malton is a busy area for traffic – but this has not always been the case. Howard Campion, trustee at the Malton and Norton Heritage Centre, reports.

THE junction of Railway Street and Yorkersgate has not always been a through road, as it is today.

Gazette & Herald: The top of Railway Street as it is todayThe top of Railway Street as it is today (Image: Google)

In 1853 (or thereabouts) the railway came to Malton and was laid almost parallel to the river in its approaches to the town.

The only direct route to and from this area to Yorkersgate was via Water Lane.

Gazette & Herald: The corresponding entrance to Water Lane at the opposite side of Yorkersgate The corresponding entrance to Water Lane at the opposite side of Yorkersgate (Image: Malton and Norton Heritage Centre)

It can be seen from the photo that the archway from here on to the main road was not over generous in its proportions, whilst the buildings on the opposite side of Yorkersgate allowed indirect access up to the Market Place via a similarly proportioned archway.

Gazette & Herald: The original Water Lane exitThe original Water Lane exit (Image: Malton and Norton Heritage Centre)

The new railway needed something far better for passenger and goods access.

That part of Railway Street (originally known as Bridge Street), which joined on to Yorkersgate, had been a builder's storage yard accessed by corn merchant Mr. Joseph Rider.


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Mr Rider’s house was on the left-hand side near to Wells Lane.

His house demolition materials were the probable origin of all the stone walls in that area.

There was a significant difference in level between his builder's yard and the river/railway.

Gazette & Herald: A map of the area from 1980A map of the area from 1980 (Image: Malton and Norton Heritage Centre)

Because it was the best direct route to the station, they were connected by a newly constructed road.

This involved creating a gradient which made it 'at odds' with the lower level of already existing shops on the Western side.

Gazette & Herald: The difference in level can still be seen todayThe difference in level can still be seen today (Image: Google)

How this difference presented itself can be seen to a certain extent in the present day photo, but the full situation can best be appreciated by viewing the rear of the shops from Water Lane car park.

Their lower floors were made inaccessible by the new road.