A NEW path is to be closed after residents claimed it had sent their crime rate soaring.

Despite objections from cycling groups, Darlington Borough Council planning committee on Wednesday agreed to close the pedestrian cycle link on a growing estate off Smithfield Road.

A 3m-high fence will be erected at either end to block the route, which serves as a link between Ullswater Avenue and Railway View, and landscaping carried out.

The committee received a 54-signature petition, 28 letters and a letter from the police all calling for the path - open for a year - to be closed. Three residents also attended the meeting.

One resident from Keswick Avenue said the estate had been plagued by vandalism, burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour since the path opened on April 27 last year. He said: "Prior to the walkway opening, crime on the estate was nil."

He said that residents' privacy was non-existent as large groups of youngsters congregated on two mounds which overlooked their homes.

Residents had suffered verbal abuse and had eggs thrown at them when they had asked the youths to move.

"We all believe that our properties have depleted in value and we all know that they are not selling in the area," the man claimed.

One man who had moved out because of the situation dropped the asking price by £10,000 because he could not stand what was happening.

The petition included a catalogue of thefts and vandalism experienced by residents.

Four letters opposing closure were received arguing that it gave access to the park and shops.

Darlington Cycling Campaign and Darlington Cycling Forum objected to the closure of the route saying it was out of step with the Town on the Move initiative.

Planning officers recommended the path remain open but Coun John Williams, council leader, said it should be closed.

"We have to do that given the high level of concern and the views of the people who live in this area and while cycling is important, they always have somewhere else to go - the residents don't."

Coun Gerald Lee agreed with the decision but had concerns about the policing of the area.

Members unanimously agreed to close the path.