THE pain etched into the faces of Colin and Chris Sanders tells the story. One year ago, they lost their 16-year-old son Jamie. He was killed crossing the A64 at Bilbrough Top to catch a bus home.

Only those who have lost a child can fully understand what Mr and Mrs Sanders have endured this past year.

Their anguish has been heightened by what they call the "inexcusable" delays to safety improvements at the spot where Jamie died.

The organisation responsible for road safety, the Highways Agency, is very aware of the lethal dangers of such a busy stretch of dual carriageway. A short distance from the scene of this tragic accident, at the A64's Copmanthorpe junction, the Agency is undertaking massive safety improvements.

It has also drawn up ambitious plans to end the appalling casualty toll at Bilbrough Top by building a flyover. These are still awaiting the approval of a public inquiry; even if that was forthcoming, it would take at least two years to complete the project.

In the meantime, people like Jamie are still being forced to make a dash across this busy road. The chances of another accident are very real.

What upsets the Sanders is the agency's failure to install any interim safety measures. As long ago as last spring, the agency was promising a central pedestrian refuge and signs warning motorists that this was a pedestrian crossing point. But nothing has been done.

We appreciate that there are many pressures on the Highways Agency. Much of its time and resources are currently devoted to the Copmanthorpe works.

Nevertheless, its inability to place a single sign at Bilbrough in the year since Jamie's death is very disappointing. The Sanders' home-made sign, drawn up in one hour, makes the point eloquently.

The agency said today it hoped to have interim safety measures in place "in the next few weeks". We will be monitoring its progress keenly.

Updated: 11:05 Friday, January 25, 2002