PRESSURE on a “dangerous junction” is set to grow after it was revealed controversial plans for a 59 bed extra care scheme are progressing and there are now plans to expand a doctors surgery.

Residents protested about the site for the extra care scheme in Bedale near one of the the town’s busiest junctions. Broadacres, North Yorkshire County council and developers Taylor Gifford are planning to build the centre off Queen Anne’s Drive, which leads onto Firby road. An elderly man on a mobility scooter was killed after an accident at the Firby road crossroads, known as five lane ends in 2012 and Bedale town councillors were told there had been many, many near misses at the junction and on the road since.

Bedale county councillor John Weighell told members the plans had been redesigned and were generally acceptable having been reduced from a three storey block to two and a half storeys with a dormer type roof.

But he said while they had been hoping to change the access that had not been possible. He added: "I think they are looking to alter the access into the site from Queen Anne’s just slightly. The bulk of the building has been taken down it looks much more like a dormer type. I know there are plans for highway improvements but there is a limit to what you can actually do if you don’t have visibility at Firby crossroads."

Councillors said while the extra care scheme was welcome there were serious concerns about the access. They were also asked to consider a planning application for a two storey extension at the Glebe House doctors surgery in Firby road with extra parking. Councillor Malcolm Young said it was not “future proofing” the situation because there would be an increase in traffic but there still wouldn’t be enough doctors and appointments and there were ongoing issues with the road which desperately needed double yellow lines.

Councillor Amanda Coates said the junction was horrendous. "It’s not speed that is the issue, it is the congestion the amount of traffic, there is the leisure centre, the doctors, the houses and the school."

Councillor Mike Barningham added: "The danger is on Firby road itself and the number of cars that go up and down."

Clerk Nick Reed said Highways had looked at the junction but moves to impose a 20mph limit and barriers were difficult because there was not enough room on the pavements and they had decided not to do anything.