A CORONER is to appeal to road chiefs to take action over an accident blackspot, before further lives are lost.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield has added his voice to a chorus of concern from North Yorkshire Police who are calling for the closure of the A19 Black Swan junction near Northallerton.

Mr Sheffield is to send a written appeal to the Highways Agency. His intervention is prompted by an inquest yesterday into the death of 22-year-old Joanne Devine from Eston, near Middlesbrough.

The hairdresser's view as she tried to turn east across the northbound carriageway of the A19 may have been restricted by a large Mercedes waiting at the stop line to turn west, just as it may have been screened her tiny Nissan Micra from the view of the oncoming Mazda people carrier which hit her.

Recording a verdict of accidental death following last May's tragedy, Mr Sheffield announced he will write to the Highways Agency "and ask them to give further consideration - again - to the problems of this dangerous junction in the hope that future accidents and deaths can be avoided."

North Yorkshire Police submitted a report on the killer stretch to the Highways Agency last April. Just days later Joanne was killed.

Despite modifications made to the lay-out of the junction since her death, the crossing is still the worst blackspot in the Hambleton area.

PC Brian Rogers, the author of a report submitted to agency officials, said they appeared to be "at a bit of a loss" as to what to do about the junction.

He said: "My recommendation is that they consider closing the junction completely."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said afterwards: "The agency has carried out a scheme to re-align and sign the Black Swan crossroads so that visibility is improved for vehicles using the central reservation gap for right turn or crossing manoeuvres.

"This work costing about £40,000 was completed in September 2002 and is being closely monitored."