CAMPAIGNERS are demanding immediate action at an accident blackspot that has claimed another life.

A man from the Darlington area died on Monday after he tried to join a section of the A66 at Elton, near Stockton, known locally as Death Mile.

He was joining the eastbound dual carriageway from the Sandy Leas Lane junction in his Nissan Sunny when he was involved in an accident with a Honda.

The man, who has not yet been named, died at the scene.

The Honda driver, from Billingham, was taken to hospital with chest injuries. His condition is comfortable.

Witnesses to the accident, at 5.50pm on Monday, are asked to call (01642) 301552.

Last night, Dave Williams, the chairman of Long Newton Parish Council and co-ordinator of the Residents Against Interchange Delay group, said it was only time before someone else died. The Highways Agency is likely to begin an £8.5m scheme to improve the road in April or May next year.

Mr Williams said: "These things will unfortunately continue to occur until the actual new junction is built. I understand the new road scheme is about to go to tender."

He said the parish council was eager to work with Darlington and Stockton councils to see if traffic heading towards Durham and Durham Tees Valley Airport could be re-routed off the A66 on to the A167 earlier to help reduce traffic.

He also said signs should be displayed along the stretch of road where sliproads from Elton and Long Newton join the A66 to remind drivers to take care.

Between 1987 and 1992, there were 35 serious crashes on that part of the road. In 1985, seven people died in seven months.