PEDESTRIANS are dicing with death in Malton's town centre trying to beat crossing lights, a driving instructor claims.

The problem is so critical at the town's Butcher Corner that Malcolm Pearson fears it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.

He says people dash out in front of traffic at the busy crossroads, impatient for the pedestrian green light to show.

"I have spoken to driving instructors in other towns in Ryedale and elsewhere in North and East Yorkshire and there seems little doubt that Malton has the worst problem," said Mr Pearson.

He spoke as work began on a major transport strategy for Malton and Norton, aimed at reducing the high volume of heavy traffic and long queues through the twin towns.

Mr Pearson says he has seen several near misses - often with adults dashing with small children across the road.

"Some people don't look at all when crossing the junction - others do see the traffic there and still cross. "The problem seems to be greater in Malton than in other towns. As a driving instructor I am alarmed at the lack of care taken by pedestrians. Many themselves must be drivers but they still step out in front of traffic - everyone from young people to pensioners". One of the causes believes Mr Pearson is the sequence of the lights at the crossroads which he says means pedestrians having to wait while two sets of traffic lights turn green.

Like many traders and residents in Malton and Norton, Mr Pearson is convinced that the building of access roads at each end of the Malton by-pass is a priority to get heavy trucks out of the town centres.

Malton Mayor Coun Ann Hopkinson said: "People take their lives in their hands when they disregard the lights.

"They are just not prepared to wait for the pedestrian lights to turn green."

Cyril Shreeve, secretary of the Malton and Norton Road Safety Committee, said it would welcome action to educate people on the dangers.

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, March 05, 2003