MEMBERS of a campaign group calling for an overhaul of busy road junctions have met officials from the Highways Agency.

The Malton and Norton A64 Junctions Action Group believes that new and improved junctions would draw heavy commercial traffic away from the towns' congested roads.

A spokeswoman for the group said the Highways Agency had confirmed that there were no plans to fund improvements to the Brambling Fields junction, or to provide a junction between the B1257 Broughton Road and the A64.

However, the agency is looking at changes to Musley Bank junction, where York Road joins the A64, the spokeswoman said.

Ryedale District Council has already pledged £20,000 for the multi-million pound project.

Local businesses and developers are being urged to do the same.

Ryedale District Council chairman Lindsay Burr said: "The problems with traffic in Malton and Norton are getting worse and worse, when we could be making much better use of the A64 Malton bypass.

"The aim of the action group is to work together to apply pressure and draw attention to this major problem, so that the junctions are improved.

"We will act as the voice of our community to make sure that the safety and well being of both local residents and users of the A64 are taken fully into account.

"Too many of us have had a near-miss with a lorry at Butcher Corner - and we need an alternative to waiting in queuing traffic to get between Malton and Norton."