AN ACCIDENT in which a nine-year-old boy was injured has led to calls for traffic-calming measures in a York street.

The boy, who was in collision with a car in Manor Drive North, off Boroughbridge Road, on Sunday, was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg and back.

He is now recovering at home, but the incident has left residents furious.

"What has got to happen before something is done about this road. Does a child have to die?", asked resident Frank Glenister.

Mr Glenister, whose grandson was knocked down on the street two years ago, has led campaigns for the last five years to introduce traffic-calming measures to the road. "Earlier this year a ballot was held of residents to decide if we wanted traffic calming measures, and 71 per cent said yes," said Mr Glenister.

"But then another resident got up a petition against it, because he didn't want to damage his motorbike, or their new cars.

"But then look what happens. Safety has to come first.

"Councillors have said before that they make decisions based on where there have been accidents in the past, now surely it is time for action."

The Manor Drive Road Safety Group meets tonight, and Mr Glenister will again raise the issue of traffic calming.

Coun Martin Bartlett said: "The purpose of the meeting is so that these things can be discussed, and I hope that as many people as possible will attend the ward meeting.

"I think one of the problems in the past was that plans have been made by a smaller group of people whose views do not necessarily correspond with everyone's in the area.

"What is needed now is a comprehensive plan for that area as a whole, for all those streets, that solves as many of the problems that we can."

Updated: 08:34 Wednesday, July 09, 2003