PLANS are being considered to instroduce 20mph speed limits on streets surrounding two Darlington primary schools20mph zones, despite objections from some residents.

The proposals, recommended for approval when they go before Darlington Borough Council's Cabinet next week, will involve installing speed bumps in streets around Heathfield Primary School in the Lingfield ward, and Reid Street Primary School, in the Pierremont Ward.

The council hopes the resulting fall in speed, combined with the traffic calming measures, will encourage more pupils to cycle or walk to school.

However, during the consultation process, several residents in Lingfield raised concerns about the increased noise from cars slowing down and speeding up while negotiating the speed bumps planned for The Broadway.

A consultation document was sent to 90 homes in the area and 37 residents responded - 59 per cent were in favour of plans, 41 per cent were against.

Councillor Ian Hazseline, who has campaigned for traffic calming measures around Heathfield School, believes it will be beneficial for residents. “You can’t please everyone but the majority of residents are in favour of these proposals," he said.

“Parents park inappropriately in the area, so we not only hope to curb excess speeding but also to alleviate the parking issue.”

The consultation document for the measures at Reid Street school was sent to 510 houses, and 95 responses were received.

As part of the plans, speed bumps would be introduced in Craig Street, the northern section of Greenbank Road, Reid Street and Roseberry Street.

Only one objection letter was received about the plans, in relation to Greenbank Road.

The resident said: “I object to build road humps in Greenbank Road. I feel they are totally unnecessary and will cause more problems than they will solve.

“Due to parked cars, the road is confined to single lane traffic.

“With cars constantly pulling in and out trying to get along the road, this makes it almost impossible to reach 20mph, let alone exceed it.”

In response, a council officer said that this wasn not the case and cars did travel at inappropriate speeds down the road, particularly at night time.

A decision will be made on the plans at Cabinet on March 6 at 5pm in the Town Hall.