CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up efforts to improve safety on a busy road in north Durham following a fatal crash.

The Grove Community and Residents Association are now demanding speed cameras and cats eyes on the A692 between Consett and The Grove.

The group was already insisting street lighting removed last year were reinstated, but it is now going further following the death of Shaun Storey.

The 27-year-old, from Blackhall Mill, died on Saturday, November 28, when the Peugeot 206 he was in crashed on the road at The Grove.

John Hinds, secretary, of The Grove Community and Residents’ Association, has written to Pat Glass, MP for North-West Durham, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg and Durham Constabulary Chief Constable Mike Barton.

He said: “After the fatal road traffic accident, our association has escalated our campaign to have speed cameras and cat eyes installed.

“Residents have informed us that there are drivers regularly breaking the speed limit through The Grove where the street lighting has been removed.

“Drivers cannot see the middle of the road as it is too dark and there are no cats eyes on this road.”

The street lights were removed last October as part of the council’s street lighting energy reduction project.

Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said he was aware of the concerns.

He added: “I will continue discussions with partners to demonstrate my continued support to ensure a safer environment for all members of the community.”

Pat Glass said she was disappointed street lighting has been removed from the top of the road, further up from the scene of the fatal accident.

She said: “Drivers who regularly use this road know it must always be driven with care and it must also be approached with care by pedestrians. Any plans to install further safety measures which improve the safety of drivers and pedestrians in this area has my full backing.”

A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said that, as with any stretch of road, it would be supportive of speed limits and traffic calming measures where necessary and appropriate to improve safety in communities.

She added: “The investigation into the fatal collision is ongoing and as such it would not be appropriate to comment further until that concludes.”

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said the street lights were removed following a thorough risk assessment, by an independent road safety auditor, which confirmed that it was safe to remove these street lights.

He said: “Street lights on part of the A692 were removed in 2014 as part of our Street Lighting Energy Reduction Project.

“This was done following a thorough risk assessment, by an independent road safety auditor, which confirmed that it was safe to remove these street lights.

“The joint council and police investigation into the accident on 28 November is ongoing however we are aware that the incident involved a vehicle hitting a street lighting column on a lit section of the A692.

“We can confirm that street lighting at this location will not be removed.

“We have no plans to install cats eyes on the A692 as they would not be suitable at this location.”