RESIDENTS have hit out at plans to change the layout of an accident blackspot claiming it could be costly and dangerous.

Durham County Council has begun work to turn the intersection linking Sedgefield and the A177 into a standard T junction.

Fourteen accidents, including three in one week, have been recorded at the junction this year with residents blaming 'give way' markings installed on the southbound slip road last August.

The council is now putting in a kerb to close the slip lane.

But retired police officer Alan Patterson, who lives about 300 yards from the junction, labelled the proposal as 'completely unnecessary' and said the authority should revert to the original layout.

A Freedom of Information Request sent by him to the council showed there were just four accidents in the seven years before the 'give way' lines were introduced in 2014.

"It's an absolutely outrageous waste of tax payer money," said Mr Patterson. "It shows painting the white lines was the wrong thing to do and the right thing to do would be to burn them off."

Mr Patterson added there could be an added danger to drivers as a result of the changes.

"People will have to slow down quite dramatically," he said. "I've walked the dog around there quite often and watched the traffic and it's possible that there may be other collisions."

Sedgefield Town Councillor Alf Walton, who was not speaking on behalf of the council, echoed Mr Patterson's concerns.

He was told the original layout did not meet design standards.

Brian Buckley, the council's strategic highways manager, said: “In response to (accidents), and following requests from local people, we have looked at how we might be able to modify the junction, in consultation with the police and local town and county councillors.

“Following these consultations agreement was reached that we alter the road layout to create a T-junction with a more gradual corner for traffic turning left from the A177.

“This arrangement was successfully tested over a six-week period prior to works starting on site.”

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who was present at a meeting to discuss the issue with councillors in September, said: "I'm assured by the county council that this is a much safer option than before."