AN MP has pledged to investigate ways of funding a footpath from an isolated housing estate to a village after residents launched a petition over their struggle to access essential services.

Campaigners said many of the residents who do not have cars felt trapped at Alanbrooke Barracks - home to 4 Regiment Royal Artillery soldiers and families as well as about 200 residents who live in former Army properties - due to the absence of paths to nearby Topcliffe.

The 1.5-mile section of A167 Topcliffe to Northallerton road has long been viewed by residents of the estate and volunteers at the nearby Blue Cross animal rescue centre, as too dangerous for pedestrians due to overgrown verges and speeding cars.

Residents said a footpath would transform the lives of a large number of people on the estate, while also serving to help calm traffic.

It is understood if a developer submitted plans to build homes on the site, which was redeveloped in the 1970s, they could be rejected over the site's accessibility.

After launching a petition to North Yorkshire County Council to create a way for residents to reach the village near Thirsk to visit the doctors' surgery, church, school, pubs or convenience shop, campaigners said the situation had become desperate following recent cuts to bus services.

Petition organiser Katie Munro said: "There's a lot of people stuck on camp and nothing here to do except wander around.

"More and more people here are suffering depression as a result."

Topcliffe ward county councillor Bob Baker and the authority's executive member for highways, Councillor Don Mackenzie were both unavailable for comment.

If the petition, which can be found by searching for 'nycc footpath' on change.org, reaches 900 signatures, it will be presented to the council's Hambleton Area Committee for debate.

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake said it was vital residents could access services and creating a path and possibly a cycleway too, could also prove a boost for traders in Topcliffe.

Mr Hollinrake added: "I would be very keen to look at it on their behalf and would not want to see it dismissed until options have been properly examined."