VILLAGERS divided by a busy dual carriageway are asking Durham County Council to lower the speed limit to improve road safety.

Chester Moor residents want to see vehicles restricted to 50mph on the A167 instead of allowing them to travel at 70mph.

They say it is too dangerous for the many elderly residents and school children who have to cross the road without the aid of traffic-calming pedestrian crossings.

But Durham county councillors are being urged to maintain the national speed limit by supporting a consolidation order when it is debated by the Highways Committee on Monday.

The council has received a petition with 162 signed copies of common letter from Chester Moor and Plawsworth residents opposing its proposals.

One resident said: "All the village's facilities such as the pubs, football ground allotments and a garden centre are on the east side along with the new houses.

"But there is an estate on the west side where there are 78 houses, which accounts for most of the village population."

The protestor claims there have been two fatal accidents and 59 injuries in the last five years.

He added: "Pressure for a speed limit reduction, a pedestrian crossing or a footbridge fell on deaf ears, it being argued that a bridge would not be used because the residents are elderly and would prefer to take their chance on the road.

"It seems that despite brave words and fine policies for integrated transport, linking it with communities and the planning process, on the ground highway engineers rule and the only traffic that matters is on four wheels."

Police said there are no grounds to reduce the speed limit.

Durham County Council carried out surveys, which revealed the maximum number of pedestrians was nine in one hour. They also state there has been only one pedestrian accident in the last four years.

Deputy chief executive Chris Tunstall said: "The current national speed limit in operation at these locations is the appropriate limit for what is a rural dual carriageway with minimal frontal development.

"The speed surveys also support the retention of the existing limit.

"The introduction of the roundabout at Chester Moor and the recently completed roundabout at Plawsworth have also acted as traffic calming features that have helped to lower vehicle speeds on the A167."