A MOTORIST involved in an horrific accident in which a young pedestrian died while crossing the A64 called today for a footbridge to be built.

York driver Annette Ingram warned that more lives will be lost at the Bilbrough Top accident blackspot unless action is taken soon.

"Are they waiting for a certain number of people to die before a footbridge is considered to be essential?" she asked. "I think that one death is far too many."

Miss Ingram, 31, from the Leeman Road area, was speaking publicly for the first time since the accident in January, in which her car struck 16-year-old Jamie Sanders as he was attempting to cross the dual carriageway to catch a bus to York.

An inquest recently heard she was driving at only 53 mph and had no chance of avoiding the Northallerton teenager.

She told the Evening Press that she had had to continue driving daily along the A64 since the tragedy to get to work, and had continued to see pedestrians running across the road.

"It terrifies me to think it could happen again," she said. "It's not impossible.

"Until you are affected, you don't realise how important the safety issues are. We're all so busy getting on with our lives.

"But more lives will be lost if something is not done soon. There needs to be a footbridge in that area, so that pedestrians are able to cross the dual carriageway safely.

"How can you possibly put bus stops, garages and other attractions on a busy dual carriageway without thinking about how people can safely get across and back again. Are they expected to fly?"

She suggested businesses at Bilbrough Top should be invited to contribute towards the costs of a bridge. After the inquest, Jamie's parents slammed delays in building a flyover at Bilbrough Top, which would enable both cars and pedestrians to cross safely. Local objections mean a public inquiry will be needed, probably delaying completion until the summer of 2004.

Miss Ingram said she would do anything she could to back the Sanders' campaign for a flyover, but with a footbridge as an interim safety measure. "But really, it shouldn't have to get to this stage. The Highways Agency shouldn't be playing with lives."

The agency said it believed the proposed flyover was the best long-term solution to help pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

Interim safety improvements, including signage and road markings, were due to be carried out this summer.

A spokeswoman added that a pedestrian footbridge could be an ideal solution in theory, but in practice it had to be designed specifically for a location, which could take a considerable amount of time.

Updated: 12:00 Friday, July 06, 2001