WOMAN, whose granddaughter was almost killed in a frightening near-miss, has welcomed plans to improve a dangerous stretch of road.

Caroline Harper has gathered more than 120 signatures on a petition demanding that the road near her home in Ings Lane, Pickering, be improved.

Her campaign began when three-year-old granddaughter Annalise narrowly escaped being hit by a motorist.

The section of road she is concerned about is Firthlands Road and the junction with Goslipgate - a quiet residential area of the town. Although the road is residential, motorists are increasingly using it as a shortcut.

Mrs Harper said that, with no footpath on part of the road, pedestrians are repeatedly put at risk from speeding motorists.

Mrs Harper and other residents have called on North Yorkshire County Council to install a footpath and a one-way system to restrict car use.

Transport chiefs at the authority have now confirmed that they have initiated a plan to introduce a temporary one-way system, while funding is being sought for a footpath.

"It is good news, though I think the footpath should be made a priority. The one-way system should reduce the amount of traffic using it," said Mrs Harper.

Of the recent scare, she said: "Annalise was behind me with a toy pushchair as I was pushing my 18-month-old grandson, Cameron, in his buggy.

"All of a sudden a car came round the corner and there was a big bang. I thought Annalise had been killed."

North Yorkshire County Council's area traffic manager Tony Wright confirmed: "The one-way traffic system will be put in place shortly and we are seeking funding for a footpath."