POCKLINGTON residents are being urged to have their say about how road safety could be improved in the town.

About £250,000 has been earmarked for major improvements to Pocklington town centre including the refurbishment of the town's bus station, new cycle stands and disabled parking bays. Even more could be spent if residents suggest good ideas to improve transport facilities.

The scheme for Pocklington comes after East Riding of Yorkshire Council was given a massive £9 million from central government to fund highway improvements.

Mike Featherby, senior engineer of the council's highways capital services department, said the council wanted to produce an integrated package for the town to make it a safer place for pedestrians and cyclists as well as improving traffic and public transport.

He said: "We want to hear people's ideas on how to improve safety. People can either approach one of the town councillors who will pass the idea on to us or write to us directly at County Hall."

They are already looking into plans to install Pocklington's first set of traffic lights with a pedestrian crossing at the mini-roundabout in Railway Street. And the council is considering widening the footpath to the customer service centre at Burnby Hall.

The Deputy Mayor, Coun George McManus, said: "The government has listened to our appeals for finance to improve road safety and they have at last come up with the goods. Draft plans for cycle paths, pedestrian crossings and traffic lights are out for consultation. I would urge everyone to look at these plans and suggest measures that will reduce car use and improve road safety."

Townspeople are already celebrating the success of a long campaign to improve safety with the installation of a concrete bollard at the zebra crossing at George Street.

Coun McManus said: "The installation of this simple bollard was itself important as inconsiderate drivers were using the zebra crossing as an entrance to the car park. This is now blocked off.

"But it is also significant because it is symbolic of our long-running campaign to improve safety.

Updated: 09:18 Friday, April 04, 2003