ACTION needs to be taken to stop motorists using "rat runs" to avoid roadworks in Bishopthorpe Road, in York.

The three Labour councillors for Micklegate Ward, Dave Merrett, Sandy Fraser and Dave Evans, have called for action to speed up the sewerage works in the road and prevent rat-running through back streets.

The road is closed and traffic is being diverted, but drivers are using streets connecting Scarcroft Road and Nunnery Lane as rat runs.

Keith Chapman, Nunnery Lane residents' committee chairman, described the rat running as "horrendous", and said residents fear an accident could happen.

Coun Merrett said City of York Council should be putting pressure on Yorkshire Water to speed up the works and use "access orders" to put a stop to the short cuts.

He said: "They should now be looking to work every possible hour in the day to try and get this finished as quickly as possible, because it is causing severe disruption to local residents and businesses.

"I have also asked that the council look at the option of temporary access orders for roads such as Nunthorpe Road and St Benedict Road, so that they are only open for access for residents while the work is taking place.

"These roads are not suitable for this sort of traffic and there are issues of safety here."

Coun Fraser is worried about the safety of school children in the area.

He said: "Fortunately, the kids are now on holiday, but last week several residents raised concern about the safety of children crossing roads around Scarcroft primary and the two secondary schools in the area as they walked and cycled to Millthorpe and All Saints schools.

"While the council is not able to provide a temporary school crossing patrol,

discussions are taking place to see what other temporary arrangements can be put in place for when the school kids return after the Easter break, possibly using teaching staff, teaching assistants or parent volunteers during school start and finish times."

Yorkshire Water has dug a six-metre deep concrete shaft into the road to mend a broken sewer pipe at the bottom. The result has been daily bumper-to-bumper traffic, and complaints from commuters and traders.

Water company bosses have moved to reassure the public the work is on track to be completed before the May race meetings.

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Water said: "We are aware of the problem of rat running, and are have already put up some signs to warn people against it.

"We are reviewing the

situation as these signs are clearly not working and we will be working closely with the highways department to come up solutions."

Updated: 09:40 Monday, April 17, 2006