MEASURES will be put in place to reduce the number of children being injured in accidents outside a school.

Highway bosses say there have been 20 accidents where people have been injured in Darlington Road, Richmond, since 1998.

There are four schools on a one-mile stretch of the road and seven of the accidents have involved children walking or cycling.

North Yorkshire County Council has suggested two options to calm traffic and reduce causalities on the road.

Barrie Mason, the county council's group engineer, said: "The first option is to introduce a 20mph speed limit outside the schools, along with vertical traffic calming measures, such as speed cushions or speed tables.

"The second option would be to narrow the carriageway and create improved areas for people to cross safely."

Plans showing the two options and a questionnaire will be sent to residents of Darlington Road.

Large scale plans of each option will also be on display at the county council's library and information centre in Richmond until Friday, July 22.

Results of the consultation will be passed to the ward county councillor and Richmondshire Area Committee for consideration.

County councillor and Richmond Mayor Stuart Parsons described the conditions along Darlington Road at the beginning and end of the school day as "a nightmare".

"Something has to be done, but it's important we don't just force the problem on to surrounding roads," he said.

"Part of the solution is not just to calm traffic but also to get children walking to schools."

Councillor Peter Sowray, the county council's executive member for environmental services, said: "The questionnaire gives the local community the opportunity to comment on the traffic calming proposals.

"I would encourage people to return their questionnaire and have their say."

Officers hope work can start before the end of the financial year in March 2006.

The county council hopes to reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured on the county's roads by 60 per cent by 2010.

Questionnaires and comments on the proposals should be returned to the Corporate Director of Environmental Services, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8BR