RESIDENTS of a road that has become a high speed rat-run have won the backing of local councillors and police officers to get speed checks in the area.

An elderly resident of Westmoreland Street, in Darlington, rallied her neighbours to send a petition of more than 75 signatures to the North Road Police and Communities Together (Pact) meeting, asking for action.

Two speed check sessions have now been held in different parts of the street, which connects North Road and Whessoe Road, to monitor speeds using radar guns, cameras and matrix signs.

Anyone who is caught breaking the 30mph limit during the sessions will not be prosecuted but instead will be sent a letter warning them about their speed.

PCSO Craig Murray, who has been helping with the monitoring sessions, said: “Over the last few years there have been three or four accidents on this road. We are trying to make drivers aware. We don’t understand why but the two ends of the street are hot spots for speeding.

“We don’t intend to charge people for speeding unless they are going well over the limit. This is about improving safety. “ Councillors Alan McNab and Fred Lawton also joined PCSO Craig Murray for the sessions, which will continue through the month.

Coun McNab said: “It’s a big wide street and it’s used as a rat-run. These speed checks are about improving safety rather than trying to nab people. We want to get them to slow down because children use this street to get to school.”

Coun Lawton added: “If the outcome is that there are people speeding then we will go to highways who will look at traffic calming measures to see if they could improve the situation. It’s the widest road of North Road and people use it to cut through and they are tempted to go faster.”

The councillors are encouraging people in the North Road area to attend the monthly Pact sessions where they can raise any local concerns.

The next North Road Pact meeting will be held on February 14 at the Northland Methodist Church.