Riccall: action group calls for 40mph zone on A19
Riccall Roads Action Group (RRAG) which was created 10 days after John Duggan's death on August 1, has shared its "deep disappointment" with North Yorkshire Council after its proposal to alter a section of the road's speed limit by 10mph. The former county, district and parish councillor died in hospital after his Nissan Juke collided with a skip lorry as he was joining the A19 from York Road in Riccall. The 81-year-old had worked tirelessly on a campaign to improve road safety on the same stretch of the road where his fatal crash occurred.
The "cruel irony" of his passing prompted the formation of the group, whose members have vowed to continue John's legacy - making their case for the road bounding the village to be made into a 40mph zone, equipped with a roundabout and rumble strips. Recommended reading: RRAG co-founder Laura Lee Patterson said, it would "significantly decrease the frequency of accidents" akin to John's.
She added: "North Yorkshire Council can act. And they must act. "Offering us 50mph when the evidence, the community, and common sense call for 40mph is simply not good enough.
"While RRAG acknowledges that North Yorkshire Council has at last recognised the urgent need for change on the A19 bounding our village, we cannot hide our deep disappointment at their proposal. "This feels like half-measures offered to a community that has endured tragedy after tragedy." 
The proposal to change the speed limit by 10mph is said to have "come out of the blue" for RRAG. Co-founder Sue Golton said: "Although it does appear that the council is listening, we do want to stress the urgent need for action. "We will be speaking at an emergency meeting on October 24 and hope to see some more progress."
The council's executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said that the council considered the lower speed limit of 50mph to be "consistent with national guidance". He said: "We recognised the strength of feeling locally and have listened to calls for speed restriction to be introduced on this stretch of the A19. "After liaising with North Yorkshire Police, we are consulting on a proposed lower speed limit of 50mph on the A19 between the two junctions.
"A series of additional complementary measures including rumble strips, improved signage and new road markings will also be added to reinforce the proposed lower limit and encourage road users to reduce their speed."
Support from the local MP
Selby Labour MP Keir Mather said that like residents, he wanted to see a "long-term solution" to road safety issues along the stretch of A19 connecting Riccall. He said: "I've pushed for road safety improvements as Selby's constituency MP, something that's really important for residents in villages like Riccall which adjoins a fast, busy stretch of the A19. "Whilst I'm pleased that North Yorkshire Council are undertaking a review of the speed limit on this stretch of road, as well as considering the addition of new signage, rumble strips and road markings, I absolutely share the view of many villagers that 40mph might be a more appropriate limit than 50mph.
"As the village's MP, I'll continue to advocate to North Yorkshire Council on their behalf, including throughout any trial period of a 50mph limit. "I'll continue to support the Deputy Mayor, the local North Yorkshire and Parish Councillors and the work of RRAG as they seek to achieve these." 
His statement was supported by one given by Riccall Parish Council, which read: "As a Parish Council, our role is to represent residents and to work constructively with the Riccall Roads Action Group, our MP, North Yorkshire Council, and the police. "We are committed to ensuring that the concerns of our community are fully understood and that the data and evidence needed for improvements are gathered. "The safety of residents and all road users remains our priority.
We will continue to press for meaningful action so that future tragedies can be prevented."