PEOPLE living in a quiet Darlington street have branded a new bus service "an accident waiting to happen".

More than 100 people have signed a petition complaining about the Green Bus number 19 service, which runs four times an hour along The Broadway, in Darlington.

Residents say the new, bigger buses are noisier and wake people early in the morning as they negotiate the narrow street.

They say the buses are too big for the street, where many cars are parked and where Heathfield Primary School is located.

Resident Trevor Richardson said: "We understand the new service is subsidised by the council, but it is such a waste of money. It is always empty.

"The children used to play out in the street here, playing ball, because it is a quiet street, but some residents with children don't feel it's safe to let them do that anymore."

Another resident, Susan Baker, said: "It is an accident waiting to happen. There will eventually be an accident with the school being here as well and so many children around at certain times."

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said the situation would be reviewed, but surveys showed that buses were not speeding in The Broadway.

The authority was also working with the school to tackle traffic congestion problems.

"The bus company has run surveys and we know that an average of 500 passengers are using the bus every day," she said.

"Route 19 now opens up to the Morton Park and Faverdale areas, so it would seem to be offering an enhanced service, more frequent, extended hours and extended additional routes."