CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed new road safety measures which will be installed at an accident blackspot.

A 50mph speed limit is among a welcome package of improvements for Durham Lane, in Eaglescliffe.

The twisting country lane, linking the expanding suburb with the A66 on the edge of Stockton, has claimed three lives and seen four people seriously injured over the past four years.

One stretch of the road is to have an enforced 50mph speed limit. Red road surfacing is to be introduced as well as painted hatching and warning signs ahead of bends - all designed to force drivers to slow down.

Egglescliffe Parish Council has campaigned for 20 years for safety improvements on the unlit stretch of road.

Sue Ireland, parish council chairwoman, said: "Any money spent on road safety is absolutely welcome.

"Road safety in our area should be top priority. Hopefully, these measures will prevent any further accidents.

"It is essentially a country lane and country roads are normally 50 mph.''

Helen Rennison, clerk to the parish council, said: "The parish council, which was the first to call for action to be taken, are very pleased this work is going ahead.''

Two men died in a two-car crash two years ago. In February, last year a car overturned on one of the bends on Durham Lane and fire fighters had to use specialist cutting gear to free the driver. A motorcyclist lost his leg in an earlier accident.

Stockton Borough Council, which is carrying out the safety work, commissioned a study to decide the best action to take.

More heavy vehicles are using the road to access the industrial estate and families moving on to the Kingsmead housing estate have increased the number of cars - and the number of children.

Cleveland Police who have carried out repeated speed checks in the area, also welcomed the £45,000 package of safety measures which will be installed over two or three weekends this month, depending on the weather.

A force spokeswoman said: "We welcome any measures making the road safer for drivers which will cut down the number of casualties on this road.

"There have been a few road traffic accidents on Durham Lane.''