AN £85,000 scheme to improve safety on Bishopthorpe's roads has been welcomed by a campaigning councillor.

The improvements were announced after months of pressure put on City of York Council by Coun John Galvin.

He has argued that traffic travelling at high speeds through the village was putting children's lives in risk.

And council planners have now agreed a safety zone centring on the junction of Sim Balk Lane, Main Street, Appleton Road and Copmanthorpe Lane.

It would include the village's two schools, the playgroup, the library and shopping centre.

Coun Galvin said: "I am delighted that the long-awaited road safety scheme for Bishopthorpe is now well on the way to completion.

"I have been pressing the council's officers and lobbying the executive member responsible for this type of work all summer to get this scheme implemented, and this action has paid off."

Work to put the traffic calming measures in place is expected to start in January.

But some residents have objected to part of the plan.

Keith Hartland, the council's road safety officer, said: "The main reservation, expressed by a small minority of residents, is in respect of the proposal to install speed tables and build-outs along Main Street.

"However, many responses indicate that there is a perceived speeding problem which would be addressed by the establishment of such measures."

It is also intended to install 20mph speed limits.

Coun Galvin said: "I realise that not everyone will be pleased to see speed tables and the like in the village, but it is a reality of life that the only sure way of slowing vehicles down is by adopting speed tables and road humps.

"Surely, it is a small price to pay if one child's life, or indeed any life, is saved."

Coun Galvin most recently urged action after concern that extra motorists were passing through the village in an attempt to escape road works on the A64 at Copmanthorpe.

Coun Galvin said at the time: "The situation is horrendous, and can only get worse."

Updated: 15:02 Wednesday, November 21, 2001