PLANS to close down a pathway that has become a haven for criminals in Darlington have met opposition.

Borough councillors are meeting next month to discuss the closure of the walkway connecting Ullswater Avenue and Railway View, near Neasham Road.

A surge in anti-social behaviour, thefts and other crimes followed its opening last year, leading to calls for it to be closed down.

The council has carried out a study into the increase in violence, and its plans to close off the walkway with three-metre high fences initially received 25 letters of support.

But not all residents are in favour of the plans, and Brian Preston, 67, of Railway View, has written in protest at the plan.

He said: "The reply I received says that closing the footpath will cut down on people getting assaulted, but I asked them how many vandals have been caught there and they could not give any answers. The letter said that, if the footpath is closed, it would not affect residents as they could use Geneva Lane to get about and walk their dogs on. But I've walked up Geneva Lane and I would not walk my dog up there."

The council will consider the walkway on February 16.