Darlington needs to clear the decks on traffic snarl-ups.

This was the call made to the council's transport forum this week.

Coun Jim Ruck said the borough's second local transport plan should be an opportunity to get tough.

"We need to be more radical," he said, pointing out that areas such as Yarm Road and West Auckland Road saw repeated infringements of the traffic system.

Forum chairman Coun Nick Wallis agreed.

"Places like West Auckland Road won't wait much longer," he said.

Council development and environment officer Simon Houlds-worth outlined plans for the final part of the first five-year plan.

He said the authority was considering how to spend this year's money - just over £3m.

"We want to achieve what we set out to do five years ago, which is to benefit everyone who uses the transport network," he said. "This year will be a fitting finale to the first LTP."

Mr Houldsworth said that, in a survey, 67pc of people agreed there were problems with traffic congestion. How to get to places was an issue for 56pc.

"The second plan will continue to tackle congestion; monitor accessibility and work with others to ensure we get the big picture," he said.

Taxi owner Alex Leighton was worried about survey results on safety. "For 53 per cent of people to say they feel it is dangerous to walk is amazing," he said.

Transport officer Owen Wilson said the question was about the perceived risk of accidents.

"We have trumpeted the fact that Darlington has safe car parks," said Coun Wallis. "But we have not made quite the same effort on road safety figures and maybe we need to tell people just how safe it is in the town's streets."

Coun Ruck said: "We have to be even more radical in the future, in areas such as Yarm Road and West Auckland Road which see more infringements of the traffic system. Also, there is a lot of speeding in rural areas.

"Let's be more active than we are. Let's clear the decks and get tough."

Coun Wallis said: "You are right. The second local transport plan could look at such issues, although simple engineering measures would relieve some of the pressure in areas like Yarm Road."

In the £3.62m settlement for 2005-6, a sum of £928,000 was extra funding due to the council's good performance on the plan.