SAFETY campaigners fear there will be another serious accident on a notorious stretch of road unless something is done to slow down speeding drivers.

Councillors have been pushing for traffic-calming measures in Durham Lane, in Eaglescliffe, for more than 20 years, but the problems have been compounded recently.

Stockton Borough Council has commissioned a study to decide the best action to reduce the risk of accidents.

Officials are considering reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 30mph, as well as introducing more street-lighting to improve visibility.

More heavy vehicles are using the road to access the industrial estate and people moving on to the Kingsmead housing estate has increased the number of cars.

The increase in the number of families also means more children in the area, and residents fear it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed.

Sue Ireland, Egglescliffe Parish Council's vice-chairwoman, said: "Speeding is occurring through the housing estate and there are a number of bends on Durham Lane, so this problem needs to be addressed. Mostly, it is the way people drive, but that is not the only thing that makes the road dangerous.

"You cannot see what is going to come out of some of those industrial estates and there is a church centre nearby that people use and have to cross a dark and busy road."

Work is under way to upgrade a pedestrian crossing near the schools, but attention has now focused on the section that leads to the A66.

Recently, cats' eyes were put down the side of the road to help drivers see as they travel down from the dual carriageway, following a number of crashes in recent years.

In June, two men died in a two-car crash and a motorcyclist lost his leg in another accident.

Last February, a car overturned on a bend in Durham Lane, just days after firefighters had to use cutting equipment to rescue a motorist who was trapped after a crash at a nearby spot.

Councillor Ireland said: "We feel that a speed restriction is necessary and we have said that to the council, but we will have to wait for what the consultants say."