ROAD safety campaigners have expressed disappointment at a council decision to maintain the 70mph speed limit through Chester Moor and Plawsworth.

Local people wanted to see the stretch of the A167 to 50mph, but Durham County Council's highway's committee has ruled in favour of recommendations to maintain the limit.

Residents objected because they say the road is too hazardous to cross and effectively isolated half the village from local amenities.

A 162-name petition was submitted to the committee and members visited the site before making their decision.

Civil servant Peter Lawson, 58, of Chester Moor, said: "Our campaign did not succeed and we are disappointed in the extreme.

"This may make things better for motorists but it does nothing for people who want to cross the road. Pedestrians weren't even mentioned.

"The strength of feeling is that this is not going to stop here. We hope there is something we can do to take further action."

The committee agreed to back a consolidation order meaning the existing speed limits on the A167 between Chester-le-Street and Darlington will remain as they are.

Highways Committee chairman Harold Douthwaite said: "We considered the issue extremely thoroughly both in committee meetings and on site.

"It has been a very, very difficult decision to come to but the right decision has been made."

But Durham County councillor Brian Ebbatson said: "I am upset and angry for the residents of Chester Moor that after so many years of trying to draw attention to their concerns their arguments have been treated so lightly.

"I am concerned that the committee appear to have accepted a recommendation that fails to apply Durham County Council's own speed management strategy in relation to the situation at Chester Moor.

"I am disappointed that colleagues allowed themselves to be influenced by repeated assertions about speed reduction achievements at Chester Moor for which no evidence was produced.

"I find it puzzling that the concerns expressed by the three Chester-le-Street councillors present, as well as these residents who frequently use the road, are seen as subjective whereas who visited the site for 15 minutes at a non-peak time are somehow objective," said Coun Ebbatson.