THE centre of a traffic-choked market town is a pollution health hazard, according to a council report.
Experts carried out scientific tests at Butcher Corner, in Malton, which showed that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide at the crossroad were likely to exceed the UK annual average.
Steven Richmond, Ryedale District Council's environmental health manager, said levels of particulates in the town centrewere also expected to be equivelant to a breach of EU regulations which come into effect by 2010.
The council carried out the studies through consultants NETCEN following concerns about air quality pollution in Malton.
A copy of the findings is to be sent to Government agencies, the public and local businesses, said Mr Richmond.
The findings of the report are expected to put more pressure on North Yorkshire County Council and the Highways Agency to carry out improvements to the traffic management system in Malton and Norton.
They would include the building of access roads and a roundabout at each end of the Malton bypass to take heavy trucks out of the centre of the towns.
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