Sir, – Further to my letter (D&S, Apr 17), the Department of Transport has now responded to Sutton under Whitestonecliffe Parish Council’s comprehensive submission for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) appertaining to Heavy Goods Vehicles using Sutton Bank.

It states: “Any application for a TRO is a matter for the local traffic authority to consider. This is because local authorities have a duty under Section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to exercise their functions under the Act so as to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic, so far as practicable having regard to various matters including the amenity of the area through which the road runs.”

It is now over to North Yorkshire County Council to analyse our submission. Surely we can expect a positive result, particularly when the council reconsiders the report and recommendations from the review by Faber Maunsell that it commissioned in 2004.

We know that it has been fully aware in the past of the hazards of Sutton Bank and the frequent blockages by HGVs causing long delays, dangerous driving conditions and use of valuable police time. This is evident in a document the council published in 2007, together with the North Yorkshire Police and Freight Transport Association.

In the meantime, as the photograph shows, the blockages continue.

Please support the campaign by signing the on-line petition at Petitions24.com Sutton Bank.

Cllr John Sharp, Sutton under Whitestonecliffe Parish Council.