CAMPAIGNERS have renewed calls for improvements to road safety on a street they say is still blighted by speeding several years after a fatality.

Residents say speeding on Carmel Road South has reached dangerous levels and improvements that were promised following the death of a cyclist on the road in 2013 have yet to be implemented.

Following a series of public meetings called in response to the tragedy, a number of measures which could reduce speeding and improve safety were identified.

These included the formation of a steering group and negotiations with haulage companies to limit HGV activity on the road.

Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner for County Durham, Ron Hogg, also pledged to help fund speed-related signage in the area

Matthew Snedker, co-ordinator of the 20’s Plenty campaign, which aims to introduce a default speed limit of 20mph in Darlington, has witnessed the problems on Carmel Road South first hand and is aware of residents’ concerns.

He said: “I have gauged public angst in the area and there is strong feeling about road safety in that part of town.

“You see a lot of near misses and people struggling to cross the road. It’s only a matter of time before we see another serious collision.”

Darlington Borough Council did make a number of improvements to the road in response to issues raised at the public meetings.

A council spokesman said: “Following the tragic accident in 2013 we met with Police and residents and the road markings were refreshed and the surface re-textured to improve the road condition as part of the council’s maintenance programme.

“We also monitor tree overhang and take action where necessary.”

Marc Hay, PCSO for the area, says that road safety issues on Carmel Road South are raised by residents at PACT meetings and that there is a “rolling program” of measures designed to combat speeding both in the area and across the town.

As recently as last month officers with mobile speed detection devices were deployed on the road but no tickets were issued.

A Community Speedwatch initiative also aims to engage the local community and increase public awareness of the dangers of driving at excessive speed.

This also involves teams of volunteers using monitoring equipment to take the details of speeding drivers which is then passed on to the police.

Drivers found to be exceeding the speed limit in areas covered by the scheme can receive warning letters.