A ROAD safety campaigner has collected a petition with more than 500 signatures backing his call for action at a dangerous crossroads.

Brian Hall said there have been meetings for the past six years over what should be done at five lane ends in Firby Road, Sussex Street in Bedale, but nothing has happened.

There were renewed calls for action last year after an elderly man was killed on his mobility scooter at the crossroads.

Mr Hall said: “Nothing gets done, there is an awful lot of talking but we need action. We need a 20mph speed limit, traffic calming measures and a safe crossing place with lights.

“So many people have signed the petition because they know how desperate it is.

"This is a dangerous crossroads where five lanes meet, it’s the worst crossing in Hambleton District and yet nothing gets done."

The campaigner said the crossing is busy with people, many of them vulnerable.

He said: "All of our most vulnerable people use this crossing, with elderly people from the bungalows in Queen Anns Drive and Pasture Drive as well as from the centre for the elderly Dales-Care. 

"There are many people going to the doctors and the leisure centre and mothers with children and pushchairs going to the primary school. There are also youngsters at the High School.

“I honestly don’t know what we have to do to get something done. I counted 731 wagons, vans and cars using that road in just one hour on Monday morning.

"Because of the housing that is being built in Aiskew over the next few years the doctors surgery will have up to 10,000 patients on their books, that’s more elderly people and children tryng to get across, and it’s just not safe.

"Do we have to have another crash before something is done?”

North Yorkshire Highways are carrying out new traffic counts in the area. Mr Hall said he would be sending copies of his petition to Bedale Town Council and to North Yorkshire Highways.