A LORRY route into Otley once classed the most dangerous road in Leeds has dropped into 29th place in an annual report.

Meanwhile, a Horsforth councillor is calling on the council to take immediate action to improve the condition of five roads included in the league tables of the worst accident spots in Leeds.

In Otley, Newall Carr Road and Bridge Street, taking in Otley Bridge, still has a 19 per cent higher than average severity rating with more than 170 per cent higher than the expected number of injury accidents.

But the road, which at its worse recorded eight serious accidents in one year, still recorded a total of 16 accidents between 1998 and 2002 - 175 per cent higher than the expected number.

The stretch of road, one of several across Otley, Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth, are listed in Leeds City Council's league tables for stretches of road and junctions with the worst accident records between 1998 and 2002.

Arthington Lane, 35th in the list, has also improved from its 25th rating two years ago and Carlton Crossroads, which has just undergone major improvements, including the installation of traffic lights, still improved its accident rating from 15 two years ago to 21.

Other stretches of road, including the A660 Otley Road at Bramhope and the Guiseley gyratory, which both appeared in the last tables, have disappeared from the latest list, with some, such as Mill Lane and Hillings Lane in Hawksworth making their first appearance in the tables.

Councillor Elizabeth Minkin, executive board member with responsibility for transport policy, said: "These harsh statistics are a matter of deep concern and we will continue to do our utmost to help reduce the number of accidents.

"Excessive speed remains the greatest single cause of road accidents and I would like to remind drivers to kill their speed. Pedestrians should also remember to use the official crossing points at busy junctions.

"Improvements schemes are already under way at some of these sites and are already starting to show benefits.

"Other schemes are planned for the near future."

Copies of the full listings of sites for concern and lengths of concern are available from the Highways Helpline on (0113) 2477500.