A PENSIONER has died after an accident on one of the main roads into York, sparking fresh calls for safety improvements.

The 83-year-old woman, named locally as Audrey Prince, died in York Hospital after a crash on the A1079 at Barmby Moor.

It is believed she had returned from visiting her husband, Jack, at a care home in Market Weighton and was trying to cross the road when the accident happened.

A 69-year-old York man, who was driving the red Ford Galaxy involved in the collision, was uninjured.

There were renewed calls today for safety works to be carried out on the road, which has long been regarded as one of Britain’s most dangerous roads.

East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight said: “I am very saddened by this. It should not take a tragic accident like this to reinforce the message that some of us have been saying for some time – that this road needs urgent safety improvements.”

He said he would press the Department for Transport to spend more money on the A1079. He said it was the main arterial route through the East Riding and said traffic levels would rise even more when the economy picked up again.

Mr Knight said the road should be dualled in agricultural areas and given more safety measures through villages.

Barmby Moor resident Becky Smith, who lived near Mrs Prince, said better lighting was needed on the road, particularly at bus stops.

“If you are a driver coming along the A1079 and someone steps out, you cannot see them,” she said.

Humberside Police are still appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened at about 5.40pm on Wednesday. Anyone with information should phone 0845 6060222, quoting log 2392.