HIGHWAY officers trying to sort out a "monumental mess" at a railway crossing on the edge of the North York Moors are examining a series of schemes.

Officers from Ryedale District Council and North Yorkshire County Council have been looking at major schemes to relieve traffic congestion at the railway crossing at Malton and Norton and improve transport connections in the towns.

Up to £80,000 could be available for work at the level crossing where the number of trains a day is set to increase from one an hour to two an hour.

The railway crossing is a major bottleneck in the town and an experimental pilot scheme was brought in earlier this year to impose a 7.5 tonne weight restriction to relieve congestion and improve air quality.

The latest investigation has been considered by Ryedale council's policy committee. Councillor Lindsey Burr said the area around the County Bridge railway crossing and Butcher's Corner is "a monumental mess."

Coun Luke Ives added:"We want something doing and fast. If necessary the council should use some of its reserves." He said there is rising concern that while upgrading train services would boost the towns, there were fears the already major traffic congestion would be aggravated by extra closing of the rail crossing.