VILLAGERS have welcomed plans for a new safety scheme to keep cyclists away from traffic on a York road which has been plagued by accidents.

City of York Council is considering a petition from residents of Rufforth requesting a cycle path along the B1224 Wetherby Road between Rufforth and Acomb.

They have received a petition from Rufforth Parish Council containing 189 signatures from locals giving the scheme their backing.

On March 10, the Evening Press reported that four householders in the village had a narrow escape when a car skidded off the road and ploughed into two houses.

A red Vauxhall Corsa left the road on a bend as it entered the village and demolished a wall and railings before colliding with the front of two terraced homes.

The parish council has suggested that an off-road cycle path is provided alongside the road separated from the road by a small hedge or grass verge.

Locals claim the cycle route is essential because of road safety issues, including heavy vehicles travelling to and from the tip and the associated increase in HGV traffic.

Parish council chairman Roger Lee said: "We are hoping City of York Council will press on with this scheme as a matter of urgency as there are a number of villagers who use the road to cycle to and from York.

"It is considered dangerous not only because of the traffic at peak hours, but because we also have a large haulage firm in the village and one of the largest waste disposal sites in the country at Harewood Whin and the lorries for both regularly have to use that road."

Mr Lee said a route within the existing road would not be suitable, as the road is too narrow and too dangerous with heavy road usage by large lorries.

After the accident on March 10 PC Alison Grey said no one was hurt, but witnesses described the male driver as "shaken". Resident Paul Sandle, 27, was standing in his front room when the car demolished his front door.

He said: "Someone could have been killed. There was an almighty bang and I thought the bath had come through the ceiling.

"I was in the front room and the next thing my fiance came tearing down the stairs and we found a small car in our front room.

"We called the police and other emergency services who checked out the driver.

"He was alright, but pretty shaken."

The council's executive member for transport and advisory panel will look at the petition at a meeting on in the Guildhall on Wednesday.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, April 01, 2005