LOCALS living around roads used as "rat-runs" due to hold-ups during major sewerage works have voted against temporarily closing them off as a safety measure.

Residents from the Nunnery Lane area of York discussed whether the route through the St Benedict's estate, near Bishopthorpe Road, should be temporarily closed at its Victoria Street entrance at a specially-called public meeting last night.

Worried locals have complained that the quiet estate has been hit with heavy traffic during major roadworks which have closed off Bishopthorpe Road.

They feared schoolchildren crossing roads were being put in danger, and youngsters used to playing in the street might run out and be hit by a car.

Keith Chapman, Nunnery Area Residents' Association chairman, said at yesterday's meeting: "I think it's a miracle that we haven't had an accident."

Leaflets circulated around the area gave residents their say on whether the route should be temporarily closed to traffic, and the matter was again put to the vote last night.

But the majority felt that the route should not be shut off.

Ward councillor Dave Merrett said 74 people had returned the leaflets, and they were against the proposed closure by a ratio of about two to one.

After more locals voted last night, the final figure stood at 32 who favoured shutting off the route - but 51 who were against it.

But some anxious residents feared rat-running could continue even after the end of the roadworks, expected to be next month.

One resident, Sheila Fletcher, said at the meeting she was concerned the route was now an "established rat-run".

Another, James Rollinson, said: "Once these roadworks have finished, it's going to continue because they (drivers) know the escape route.

"They are going to think 'why should I queue? I'm going to use the Nunnery Lane side'."

But other residents said they did not want to see the road closed.

Alf Greaves, of Bishopthorpe Road, said motorists were prevented from speeding down the road because of cars parked along its side - and in any case the work was only set to last for a total of six weeks.

The work is being done by Yorkshire Water, which has dug a six-metre deep concrete shaft into Bishopthorpe Road to mend a broken sewer pipe at the bottom. Bosses have said the work is on track to end before the May race meetings.

Meanwhile, signs have been put up in an attempt to deter motorists from using the route through the estate as a short cut - but drivers cannot be forced to abide by them.

Updated: 09:44 Wednesday, April 19, 2006