CAMPAIGNERS have demanded answers over claimed breaches of planning regulations on a multi-million road project.

Residents living near the £14.4m Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor have called in an ombudsman to investigate their concerns.

The ombudsman has now drafted up a series of questions, which have been sent to Darlington Borough Council.

An investigation was launched in August when complainants claimed the road project had breached planning regulations.

Work continued after officials confirmed the route was not in breach of planning permission.

But campaigners have now demanded to know why a 300-yard section next to Coombe Drive, on the town's Red Hall estate, had been laid higher than originally expected.

The ombudsman has asked for plans, the planning officer's reports as well as asking a series of questions.

They include whether the road height has increased, by how much, what action the council has taken, has the increase been approved, how were the amendments approved, what the council policy on the amendments is and how the impact on residents has been taken into account.

The ombudsman has also asked for answers to the complainants other concerns on traffic lights and roundabouts, the roads route and nearby electricity pylons.

Cyril Johnston, 74, who lives in Goodison Way, on the Red Hall estate, said: "I don't know how much power the ombudsman has got.

"We are convinced they have built it higher. This is our last throw of the dice.

"He has asked for all the plans. There are some good questions there. This is how we stand at the moment.

"The crux of the matter is how much power the questions and he has.

"We hope they bring the road down to the ground as they originally said.

"The people building it say that cannot be done. But if that is in the plans, that is what should happen."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "We have received questions from the ombudsman. We will study these and provide detailed answers to the ombudsman in due course."

Work on the 1.8-mile single carriageway, which aims to reduce congestion in the town, started in January 2007. It is scheduled to be open in April.