A ROAD safety initiative has been launched in Hartlepool to protect motorcyclists.

Hartlepool Borough Council officials joined the Report a Road scheme, in co-operation with the Highways Agency and other local authorities.

It is aimed at riders who feel that flawed design or poor maintenance of a particular stretch of road may have contributed to a crash or near-miss in which they were involved.

Bikers can report problem roads by logging on to the website www.handleitorloseit.com and following the on-screen guide.

All reports will automatically be sent to the council's road safety officer, Paul Watson, and an inspection of the road in question will be carried out to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Mr Watson said: "Two-wheel vehicles can be affected by road conditions in different ways from other vehicles, and it is important that we are made aware of potential and actual problems.

"By logging on and filing a report, motorcyclists can help to bring about a speedier response and solution to a problem.

"This new initiative is a key element of our ongoing drive to make Hartlepool roads safer for all users, and to reduce accidents."