MORE than 150 residents in the village of Spofforth near Harrogate have joined a battle to secure a signal controlled crossing for their community.

The plea comes despite an imminent curb on heavy lorries using the area as a shortcut to the A1.

Petition organiser Barbara Seifert said, heavy vehicles apart, it was very difficult to cross the narrow main road, particularly at peak times.

"We just want somewhere safe for people to get from one side of the road to the other in a street where the pavement is less than a yard wide in places," said Mrs Seifert.

The petition has been presented by the village's North Yorkshire county councillor Bill Brewis to Councillor Peter Sowray, cabinet member responsible for highways.

Coun Brewis said: "I spelled in no uncertain terms that Spofforth needs all the safety help it can get and that this crossing is vital."

The matter has already been put on the agenda of the area county committee's next meeting, on September 20.

Graham Cressey, the county's traffic manager, has told Coun Brewis a site between the Castle Inn and the Railway Inn had been suggested for the crossing.

Coun Brewis said, backed by the petition, he would be pressing for the action at the September meeting.

Meanwhile, hopes are rising that work on erecting signs aimed at curbing heavy vehicles from the Spofforth-Little Ribston-Deighton areas is moving ahead, following delays involving Leeds City Council, which is funding the project with North Yorkshire.