MOTHERS in Skipton have joined forces to protect children walking to and from school.

After an accident last year and a number of near misses, the parents have decided that enough is enough.

They want the local authorities to install crossings on the busy thoroughfares, in particular around Water Street School, as soon as possible.

Parent Cath Conn, who has spearheaded Skipton Kids in Danger, said: "We have been told that the crossings are included in the budget for this year, so why can't it get done now?

"This is a real issue of safety - my own daughter was seriously injured last year on The Bailey."

She continued: "I have also spoken to parents of teenagers at the big schools, and they too are worried about their safety on the roads in that area."

North Yorkshire County Council's highways department has plans to install puffin crossings - sensor controlled lights - on Brougham Street at its junction with Devonshire Street, on Mill Bridge at its junction with Water Street and on the Bailey at its junction with Overdale Court.

But the start date for the work is unclear.

Work was scheduled to start on Brougham Street on July 24 with the lights being in place for the new school year. But objections from residents have meant plans will have to go back to committee in September.

The crossing on the Bailey was due to start on August 24, but discussions have been ongoing as to whether this work could be brought forward in light of the delay at Brougham Street.

Funding for the Bailey crossing was made available in 1998 when Skipton Building Society applied for planning permission to extend its premises.The society was asked to give money towards making the road safer and some of it will be spent on the puffin crossing

Work at Mill Bridge is expected to take much longer.

County Coun Mike Doyle said: "At Mill Bridge, it is a very complicated junction. I'd far rather get it done right than get it done quickly."

He added that while work was taking place children could walk to school along the canal, under Mill Bridge.

"What we want to do is make sure that the council really does keep to what it says, and get some solid dates as to when all the work will be done," said Cath.

"We have been told that the Water Street crossing will be done at the back end of the year, but that could mean anything from around September time to right into next year. We're getting a lot of mixed messages.

"We have also been told that we could use the crossing on the High Street, but I think that's just a typical bureaucratic response. Do children really matter so little?"

The 30 parents in Skipton Kids in Danger have a whole range of plans to keep the council members on their toes.

They have vowed to keep in touch with councillors in charge of the plans, contact other parents and road safety groups and attend council meetings on the issue.

"We have also put plans in place to organise a Walk to School day, as soon as both crossings are in place, to promote the benefits of walking," said Judith Lindsley, one of the parents.

Cath and fellow campaigner Gill Wood are also involved in the Skipton Renaissance project and have expressed their concerns at its meetings.

"Skipton is so far behind other towns in this," said Cath. "So many other towns and cities are pedestrian-friendly, and we want Skipton to be too."