CONCERNED residents are calling for more to be done to tackle dangerous driving through a village being used as an unofficial diversion route.

Following a landslip in early 2013, the A67 between Piercebridge and High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, has been closed to allow for extensive repair work, which is expected to be completed in May.

Since then, hundreds of motorists have been using the quiet village of Manfield, near Darlington, as an unofficial diversion route, often ignoring the speed limit and causing countless collisions.

Since December, four accidents have taken place in the village, with one closing the road for two hours.

Manfield resident Michelle Mitchell said villagers feel their cries for help to deal with the increased volume of traffic are being ignored.

“At the moment it is just so busy, it is unbelievable. The traffic has been very heavy and there is a real safety issue with speed – they career down the road," she said.

“The barrier over the bridge has been damaged and poses a safety risk to motorists.

“It has been shored up but is sticking out and if another accident occurs we are concerned a driver or passenger will be impaled on it.”

The 46-year-old said the road has also become increasingly dangerous during winter months due to ice and snow.

However the road is not currently being gritted by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) as it is not considered a priority route.

Mrs Mitchell added: “On Wednesday it was like an ice rink – I could see the ice on the road.

“It is going to get cold again but they are not gritting.

“Our main concern is that someone is going to get injured. If it does happen they have got a duty of care to sort it out.

“If someone does have an accident we will also feel partly responsible as it is our responsibility as villagers to keep our village safe.”

An official diversion route has been put in place by Darlington Borough Council via the B6275, B6279 Staindrop Road, B6280 Carmel Road North and A67 Coniscliffe Road.

A spokesman for NYCC said that as the official diversion is outside the council’s boundary and does not pass through Manfield, the authority has not reviewed the priority status of the road.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman added: “The signed diversion is seen as the most appropriate and we urge road users to use this route at all times.”