PARENTS fear crossing a busy York road with their children will become even more dangerous when extra traffic is diverted on to it because of roadworks.

Fishergate, one of the main routes into the centre of York, is set to shut for up to 12 weeks later this month as Yorkshire Water carries out major repairs to crumbling Victorian sewers.

All the traffic will be diverted along Cemetery Road, which many children cross each day on their way to and from Fishergate Primary School and St George’s RC Primary School.

Parents say an already difficult crossing will become even worse. Angie Robb, of nearby Kensal Rise, who crosses the road with her son Jacques, eight, and Maisy, six, who attend St George’s, said: “You can wait up to ten minutes for a safe gap in the traffic in all directions. It’s going to become even more dangerous.”

She suggested that a lollipop crossing person should be provided as a temporary measure during the roadworks.

Fishergate councillor Andy D’Agorne said he was concerned there would be additional difficulties and dangers for pedestrians and cyclists, and he was asking highways officers what safety measures might it be reasonable to expect Yorkshire Water to provide.

He suggested a temporary 20mph speed limit in Cemetery Road to improve safety. A City of York Council spokeswoman said a meeting was being held to discuss the work.

“Safety is always a key element of any works carried out and the concerns raised will be considered.”

Yorkshire Water said it appreciated its work would potentially result in more traffic using Cemetery Road and it was working with the council’s Highway Team to find a safe solution for pedestrians, in particular schoolchildren, crossing the road.

A spokeswoman said: “We will also be contacting the two local schools mentioned to see if they would like us to provide high visibility sleeveless jackets for their children for extra safety during the dark mornings.”

“This is something that we have trialled in the past with work we have done in other areas and it has proved extremely successful.”