SIX-foot screens have been erected at one of Darlington's busiest roundabouts to purposefully obstruct drivers' views.

It is hoped the foliage screens at the Parkgate roundabout on the ring road will cut the speed of motorists as they approach the junction.

They have been designed to force motorists to take a closer look at the traffic to their right.

Darlington Borough Council spent £5,000 on the screens after consultations with police road safety experts.

A spokesman for the council said: "There has been some accidents at that site so we have so we have worked with the police to design a scheme that will slow speeding motorists as they approach the roundabout.

"With visibility restricted, motorists have to slow down to look to their right.

"The screens also deter pedestrians from crossing at that point so they will use the nearby crossing instead."