Residents of a County Durham village have been left "disappointed" after seeing council plans to increase the speed limit on what they say is a dangerous stretch of road.
Durham County Council's Highways department plans on changing the limit on a stretch of the A692 in Dipton, Stanley, from 30mph to 40mph as part of a 'buffer zone' to 'enhance road safety'.
Council officials say that currently only 35 per cent of vehicles follow the 30mph limit, therefore a change to a 'self-enforcing' 40mph buffer zone would be more appropriate.
But these plans have been met with anger by residents and politicians, who say the road is 'an accident waiting to happen'.
Village postmistress Karen Oliver-Dodds lived in Dipton for 40 years before moving to Burnopfield, and has said that customers have expressed their shock at the proposals.
"One of my customers said 'they can't control the speed so they are making the speed legal, would they just give everyone a knife if knife crime increased'," she said.
"There have been so many councillors involved in trying to make the roads safer," she said.
"So this feels like a real kick in the teeth. Where some villages have got 20mph zones, we are getting a 40mph zone."
"I would like them to listen to our community. I would like them to explain in clear terms and I would like an apology for failing to acknowledge some people's complaints," she added.
"It is only a matter of time before someone gets killed. There is going to be a really severe accident."
Councillors of different political colours have been involved in the campaign as it stretches back to before the May elections where Reform took seats from Labour.
In an objection sent to the council, Councillor Saffron Sims-Brydon, Reform UK, said: "Council officers claim that poor compliance with the current 30mph limit justifies a new 40mph 'buffer zone' to reflect 'actual driver behaviour'.
"This is a staggering admission of defeat. Rather than tackling illegal and dangerous speeds through enforcement or traffic calming, the proposal rewards law-breaking by simply changing the rules.
"This is a residential area with poor visibility, parked cars and heavy foot traffic. Three people have lost their lives on this stretch in recent years. Just last month, there was a three-car collision. Raising the limit here is not just tone-deaf, it’s reckless."
She added: "Residents believe this scheme is being forced through with minimal consultation. Key information was quietly placed in Annfield Plain Library, two villages away, with no serious effort to inform the Dipton community."
"My inbox is currently full of complaints from Dipton residents and I am supporting them where I can. The current consultation has left people feeling ignored and residents want genuine engagement and solutions that prioritise safety."
Consultation on the plans for the road is open until August 8, after which the council will discuss the feasibility of their plan for the road.
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Dave Lewin, Durham County Council’s acting head of transport and contract services, said: “Following a recent review of the existing speed limit on the A692 through Dipton, we are proposing changes that would bring the speed limit in line with national guidance.
“Changes to the speed limit would be introduced alongside new signs in the 40mph sections, encouraging drivers to observe both the 30mph and 40mph speed limits along that stretch of road.
“All feedback will be considered as part of the consultation process and we would encourage people to have their say on the proposals.”
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