VILLAGERS are demanding a reduced speed limit on a stretch of the A19 where a teenager was killed.

Rosie Jean Missett, of Leeds, died after she was hit by a vehicle shortly after she got off a bus near the White Swan in Deighton on April 4.

While there is no suggestion yet as to the cause of the accident, Deighton resident Wilson Clarke said the tragedy followed a number of other accidents on the stretch of road between Escrick and Deighton and he and fellow villagers feel the speed limit should be reduced to 40mph from 60mph.

Almost every person in the village has now supported a petition and application sent to the City of York Council calling for the lower limit.

Mr Clarke said: “Rosie was my neighbour’s son’s girlfriend and when she died we decided we needed to do something.

“We took a petition to every house and a return-slip form which asked whether they agreed that the speed limit on the A19 be reduced to 40mph from Escrick to Deighton.

“In response, 88 per cent of the village returned the forms and all but one were in favour.”

He said a further 50 supporting applications appealing for a speed reduction were also signed and delivered with the petition to the City of York Council.

The council’s cabinet member for transport issues, Dave Merrett, will meet a council official on July 3 to consider the issue.

Mr Clarke said villagers were optimistic, but vowed to continue with the fight if the application was turned down.

He said: “There have been five accidents on this stretch of road since last September, including one involving a police car.”

“Not only that, it is extremely difficult for people, especially older people, to cross the road because of the speed and volume of the traffic.”