AN MP today called for action to improve the safety record of the A19 around York - a road which has claimed two lives in a week.

John Grogan, MP for Selby, said he plans to meet North Yorkshire County Council and the police in July to discuss possible safety improvements to the A19 stretch in his constituency.

That stretch includes the notorious Crockey Hill junction, near to the scene of yesterday's crash which claimed the life of 20-year-old James David Parker, of Barley View, Wigginton, York.

Mr Grogan said he recently met with the chairman of Wheldrake Parish Council to discuss the blackspot junction.

Mr Grogan said: "It is a key issue. The meeting will discuss how the Crockey Hill junction could be made safer, but it is not just that junction that is the issue.

"Road safety has to be improved on that A19 section between York and Selby. This latest fatality is another tragic occurrence and serves to underline the fact that there must be an improvement."

Tracey Daniels, clerk to Wheldrake Parish Council, said villagers would like to see traffic lights or a roundabout at Crockey Hill.

"It is an accident blackspot. There is a lot of strong feeling in the village about it," she said.

At least five other motorists have lost their lives on the A19 south of York in the last three years, while at least four more have died on the northern stretch of the road between York and Northallerton. Among the deaths north of York was that of Joseph Drury, 75, of York Road, Easingwold, who died eight days ago in a crash on the A19 near Tollerton.

North Yorkshire Police's road policing group has urged motorists to take the unseasonal wet weather into account and take extra care on the roads.

Tadcaster-based Sergeant Graham Carroll said: "We want drivers to drive as safely as they possibly can at all times but obviously when weather conditions deteriorate drivers should modify their driving accordingly.

"Go a bit slower, especially in spray, and drive in such a manner that you can stop safely - in other words, keep your distance from the vehicle in front."

The A19 is currently classed as a trunk road, but that status is due to change later this year, when responsibility for it passes from the Highways Agency to North Yorkshire County Council.

Highways chiefs pledged to improve the road 18 months ago after an AA report branded it dangerous.

A woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries after a two-car crash on the A19 near Escrick at about 4.45pm yesterday.

Updated: 10:47 Friday, May 23, 2003