CAMPAIGNERS fear that children could be killed walking to school if the county council pushes ahead with its plans to remove street lights along a nine-mile stretch of road.

Durham County Council is proposing to take out the lampposts on the A167 between the Cock of the North roundabout, at Durham, and Rushyford roundabout, near Newton Aycliffe.

The route put into darkness would also cut past Spennymoor and Chilton.

The authority voted to remove lights from some rural areas and to dim them elsewhere last year but critics claim the cash-strapped council, facing cuts of £250m, is cost cutting.

Opponents say that children walk between Chilton and Ferryhill to get to school and youngsters use the A167 to get to Chilton skatepark.

There have been fatalities and bad accidents along this stretch of the road and opponents fear that turning off the lights will lead to more.

County councillor Brian Avery, the Independent member for Ferryhill, said: “I’m absolutely appalled and angry that they are going to turn off these lights.

“This is a fast road and people speed down it. Children walk to school along it. There have been fatalities on this road and I would not want to see anymore.

“The county council has not thought about the road it has just thought about how much money it can save.”

Paul Gray, Chilton Town Council clerk, who is set to meet county council officers about the issue on Monday, (February 23) said a petition against the move could be created.

He said: “This will leave people walking in the pitch black on a night. I think we really need to push on this.

“A lot of people, including children going to school, walk along that road.

“Chilton council is not against the county switching off the lights where necessary but I think a lot of people will be disappointed with this.”

Phil Wilson, the Labour MP for Sedgefield, is to ask the county council for details on the issue.

He said: “It is a designated walking route for school children and if the street lights are taken out it will make it dangerous.

“This has to be looked at in the context of budget cuts facing the council.”

John Reed, head of technical services at the county council, said: “We’re proposing to remove street lights in this area as part of our plans to reduce energy costs.

“We’re waiting for more feedback as part of the consultation process before making a final decision.

“In all cases when street lighting is removed a risk assessment is undertaken that considers issues such as safety.”