'It is only a matter of time before somebody gets killed or seriously injured'

In a letter to the town council, Danny Stannard, who lives in Langton Road, said there was already an issue with the volume of traffic and speed of vehicles, which would only become worse if Norton Primary School expands to Brooklyn on the same road.

"I have no issue with the school expanding, but I do have concerns with the volume of traffic increasing," he said.

"There is already a problem with speeding vehicles in Langton Road and I feel it is only a matter of time before somebody gets killed or seriously injured.

"I feel this will only become worse once the new school is open, with extra pedestrians and vehicles using the route."

Mr Stannard, who has two young daughters, said he was also concerned with sections of the road being too narrow.

"I have sat in my living room during the evening and seen countless near misses where cars have had to mount the kerb to avoid colliding with oncoming vehicles," he said. "Again, I feel this is an accident waiting to happen."

Councillor Di Keal said the problem with speeding vehicles was not restricted to Langton Road.

"I have local residents raising concerns on a number of routes, including Welham Road and Scarborough Road," she said.

"The latest route for 'boy-racers' appears to be along Church Street and Commercial Street to the bypass and then back through town.

"It is a huge concern to people with young children and we need to emphasis the need for traffic calming in some of these areas."

Deputy mayor Antony Crozer said cars parked in Langton Road did not help to slow people down.

"I have seen cars up on the footpath and people are still driving too fast," he said.

Councillor David Lloyd-Williams said that ultimately Langton Road would become a 20mph zone if the primary school was expanded.

"The message to North Yorkshire County Council should be that this is going to create more problems than it is going to solve," he said.

"This is a quick fix solution and when the first person is injured the finger will be pointed at the county council.

"I share Mr Stannard's concerns and I hope the authorities sit up and take notice."