CALLS are being made to stop the "terrifying" speed of vehicles through Malton over fears of a serious accident.

Residents have expressed concern over the speed of traffic using the current diversion route along Horsemarket Road while Yorkersgate is closed for gas works.

They are supported by Angela Kirkham, director of the Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre, a long-term campaigner for a speed reduction near the school.

Angela, who has put up a number of "SLOW Children crossing signs" said speeding and safety issues had worsened since traffic was diverted last month.

"I have had requests for official signs and a 20mph speed limit repeatedly denied by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) on the grounds that the performing arts centre isn't a local authority school," she said,

"I don't care if the signs I put up are unauthorised - the children's safety must come first - the speed of some of the vehicles is terrifying, it's scary."

Malton county councillor Lindsay Burr persuaded Highways on Friday to put temporary "SLOW" signs up following a collision in Horsemarket Road.

She said: "The powers that be have been told many many times about reckless driving on this stretch of road, and this was before the current diversion which has exacerbated the issue as drivers accelerate to make up for lost time

"Now is the time we all unite and say enough is enough. Elderly residents at Hollis Court and children who attend Kirkham Henry should not be put in direct danger.

"This situation is outrageous. I will be demanding that NYCC implement a regulated speed restriction of 20 miles per hour."

Aidie Denney, who lives in Horsemarket Road, said: "It is a nightmare, I am amazed that something serious has not happened. The speed with which the flow of traffic comes through is terrible.

"With vibrations from the HGVs, two of our front window panes have cracked and one of our neighbours bricks are falling out above his window. Even when the gas work is finished more people will use this rat-run now it has come to their attention. Plus if the HGV ban gets the go-ahead, that will also create more problems for this road."

Ruth and Matthew Harrington, who live in nearby Castle Howard Road, have stopped their teenage daughter walking to town on her own since the diversion was in place. They said: "We find crossing the road with our children terrifying, as is watching elderly people cross."

Ryedale District Councillor and founder member of Action on Traffic - Malton and Norton, Di Keal said: "Yet again it seems like very little thought has been given to alternative traffic routes by county highways when permission was given for the gas main works to be carried out in Yorkersgate necessitating the road to be closed.

"Far too much traffic comes off the A64 directly into Malton to travel through to Norton causing chaos especially at peak periods. It would have been sensible to put diversion signs up on the A64 before the Malton turn off closing it for access to Norton and forcing this traffic travelling east to exit at the Bramling Fields junction into the town.

"Instead Horsemarket Road, Victoria Road and the top of the cattle market are being used as cut through routes leading to too many vehicles, traffic queues and frustrated drivers, which is a dangerous mix on these narrow roads."

No one from North Yorkshire County Council was available to comment.