FAMILIES are calling for a bypass speed limit to be reduced after a head-on crash between a police car and another vehicle yesterday morning.

The smash took place on the A688 Bishop Auckland bypass near South Church Road, in County Durham, at about 9am.

The crash involved a Nissan Qashqai, being driven by a man in his late 50s from Butterknowle, near Barnard Castle, and a Vauxhall Astra police patrol car, being driven by Acting Inspector Chris Thompson, who is based in Bishop Auckland.

It is believed Acting Insp Thompson was travelling south on a routine patrol without the vehicle’s blue lights flashing when the collision took place.

Inspector Ed Turner, from the force’s road policing unit, said: “It is thought that the Nissan veered into the path of the oncoming police car.”

The driver of the Nissan was taken by air ambulance to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, with minor injuries.

Acting Insp Thompson suffered chest injuries and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but later released after an x-ray.

The crash occurred yards from the pedestrian crossing where friends Bryan Hardwick and David Weatherburn were killed in October 2008 as they returned from a family trip to collect conkers.

Mr Hardwick’s son, Liam, then two, was also badly hurt when a car ploughed into the group, hurling them into the air, as they waited to cross the road.

Following the latest collision, people living on the neighbouring Henknowle Estate are calling for the 60mph limit to be reduced.

Concerned parents also want better signs warning drivers about the proximity of St Andrew’s Primary School, in South Church.

Emma Bayne, mother of a six-year-old and ten-year-old, said her children walk by the accident hotspot everyday.

She said: “Many people on the estate have got kids and we’re all concerned about it.

“When you think about how many accidents there are here so close to homes and the school, surely it’s time for something to be done.”

Helen Baglin said the Friends of St Andrew’s School have also raised concerns.

The school declined to comment.

Steve Keetley, head of Durham County Council technical services, said the council is aware of concerns and is investigating possible solutions.

He said: “We take the safety of children very seriously and urge parents who take their children to school on foot to use the crossing patrol on St Andrew’s Road and the footbridge over the bypass to get to St Andrew’s School.”

Witnesses to yesterday’s accident are asked to call Insp Turner on 0345-60-60-365.

The road reopened at about 11am.

Drivers suffer major delays after A19 collision

DRIVERS suffered major delays on one of the North- East’s dual carriageways.

A southbound section of the A19 was closed in County Durham last night as emergency resurfacing took place to repair damage caused by a collision involving two lorries in Cold Hesledon, near Seaham, at 3am.

Although there were no injuries, the Highways Agency said one of the lorries caught fire, meaning a much lengthier recovery process. The southbound dual carriageway, between Dalton Park turn-off at Murton, southwards to Easington Village, was closed.

As the recovery work stretched beyond rush hour, it led to knock-on effects on surrounding roads as diversions were put in place.

It led to major tailbacks on the A19 and on some of the alternative routes being used by drivers trying to avoid the delays. As one lane of the A19 remained closed for the start of emergency repairs during the afternoon, there was further queuing during last night’s rush hour, with congestion only easing once vehicles were past Hawthorn Services.

But, from 8pm, a full closure was back in place on the affected section to allow for the overnight resurfacing.

The agency hopes the work will be completed today.