CASH-STRAPPED transport bosses have scaled down plans for safety improvements at an accident blackspot near York.

City leaders have opposed calls for traffic islands on the A166 at Dunnington, because they cannot afford to widen the road to compensate for the narrower lanes.

They wanted to use islands and new road markings to prevent overtaking near the junction with Church Balk, where a motorcyclist died last Christmas.

Instead, they now plan to use markings alone.

Graham Kelly, transport and safety engineer for City of York Council, said abandoning the islands plan was “acceptable” as double-white lines on the road would be the main deterrent to overtaking.

On Boxing Day last year, 73-year-old biker Peter Lee became the latest victim on the A166 when his Honda bike collided with a Kia Carens at the junction with Church Balk. There have been five other accidents at the junction since 2006 and last year, the road was named by the European Road Assessment Programme as the 15th riskiest in Britain.

The council’s original plan was to combine markings and islands, but cycling lobby groups said they create ‘pinch points’ and a hazard for cyclists.

A road safety audit also said islands on a 60mph road would act as a new hazard.

Mr Kelly said the revised plans may be “less effective in addressing the main injury accident concerns”, but said the council could not afford to widen the road. The amended scheme will cost up to £22,000.

York cycling champion, Andy D’Agorne, said the speed limit on the road should be reduced, but Mr Kelly said that would only be effective if other works were installed, such as islands or new lighting, and said that would be too expensive.

The issue will be considered by the council’s executive member for city strategy, Coun Steve Galloway, on Tuesday.