AN objection to a council's speed reduction plans on one of the 50 most dangerous roads in the UK will be considered by councillors today.

Durham County Council is proposing changes to the 40mph speed limit on the A67 at Startforth, near Barnard Castle, as part of a wider road safety scheme under the Department for Transport's £175m Safer Roads Fund.

As part of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), the council wants to create 30mph and 40mph gateway features on the busy road to reduce speeds.

A public consultation was held in Barnard Castle last October.

However, Barnard Castle Town Council objected to the order, arguing the plans for 40mph roads should be changed to 30mph and the stretch of 30mph to 20mph.

In his report, the council's corporate director of regeneration and local services, Ian Thompson, said: "They [Barnard Castle Town councillors] consider that reducing the speeds limit on the outskirts of Barnard Castle town within Startforth’s ward area will reduce traffic speeds through the town centre."

Mr Thompson has recommended councillors on the council's Highways Committee back the proposals and ask the council's Corporate Director of Regeneration to pass the TRO.

The meeting will start at 9.30am at County Hall.