Dangerous A63 Hull Road and A19 junction was ranked as the highest risk site countywide as the scene of a staggering 16 smashes causing 32 casualties within three years.

Crashes have more than doubled since 2005, with three reported in 2005, six in 2006 and seven in 2007.

July saw locals campaigning for road safety improvements on the hazardous stretch celebrate success when Highways Agency bosses agreed to scrap a planned 'left turn only' system and fund a roundabout as part of a proposed route de-trunking and transferring of responsibility to NYCC.

Ward councillor Brian Marshall said this week: "We were down there last week and every day there's a near miss. There are always shunts at that junction, which don't get reported, so the figures could be even higher."

The road safety crusader continued: "There have been no fatalities there as far as I know, but people have had very serious injuries.

"If the Highways Agency had acted quicker, it could have avoided all these accidents, and it would have been a lot better for people round here.

"Cars come flying down the A19, and there's very little time to turn right out of Hull Road. People misjudge how quickly vehicles travel at 60mph."

MP John Grogan, who championed the safety drive, said: "NYCC is right to have highlighted the dangers of this particular junction.

"I'm pleased both it and local parish councillors insisted the Highways Agency funding had to be in place for a roundabout before the road was de-trunked. I hope plans for that roundabout can now be advanced rapidly."

A highways spokesman confirmed discussions are ongoing regarding funding for a roundabout scheme as part of any future de-trunking package, with road structure improvements and high friction surfacing also earmarked.