HIGHWAY officials are to look again to try and find a way to make a crossing in Bedale safer, after years of complaints.

The Five Land Ends junction with Sussex Street and Firby Road has been a major concern for many years. An elderly mobility scooter driver died at the junction two years ago.

Campaigners collected a 1,000 name petition calling for action which was presented to North Yorkshire County Council.

The Hambleton Area Committee referred the issue back to highways for further examination. Leader of the Council, Cllr John Weighell said: “We have been to site meeting after site meeting. If there had been an easy answer it would have been done by now. They are going to look at a number of options. The real problem is traffic is not slowing down enough.”

Cllr Weighell said one option was to look at a mini roundabout at Burrill Road. Another option of a mini roundabout at Firby Road could also be considered although there are doubts that there would be enough room. There had been hopes that Tesco would pay for a zebra crossing on Sussex Street, but that that had not happened.

Campaigner Brian Hall said it was disappointing that no action was being taken but at least it was being looked at again.

“It seems like it’s just more meetings, there has to be a way of making this junction safer for the people of Bedale," he said. "It is used by so many elderly people, young parents with pushchairs and children it is important that something is done. They could put in a 20mph limit, but a safe crossing place is the most important thing."