HIGHWAYS bosses are taking important steps to help improve a notorious accident blackspot.

Thirteen months after Jamie Sanders, of Northallerton, was killed while trying to run across the A64 at Bilbrough Top, signs have been erected warning motorists of pedestrians crossing the road.

The pedestrian warning signs had been expected last spring, along with other safety improvements, but suffered delays.

The Highways Agency said the setbacks had been caused by difficulties in locating and designing an associated pedestrian refuge in the central reservation.

The parents of 16-year-old Jamie, who three weeks ago attacked the "inexcusable" delays, welcomed the belated arrival of the signs.

"It's about time they got it done," said Jamie's father, Colin. "At least something has now been done which should help prevent a repeat of Jamie's accident."

Meanwhile, proposals to ban all U-turns through the Bilbrough Top gap have also been announced.

Until now, vehicles heading along the westbound carriageway towards Leeds have been allowed to make a U-turn to get on to the eastbound carriageway - even though eastbound motorists are barred from making a similar manoeuvre to get onto the Leeds-bound carriageway.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said the signs could now go up because the location and design for the pedestrian refuge had been agreed. The crossing would be provided imminently.

She said the agency had originally planned to delay banning U-turns until a flyover was built at Bilbrough Top, but had brought it forward for safety reasons.