RESIDENTS fighting to reduce the speed limit on a busy dual carriageway through their village could learn next month whether they have persuaded councillors to change their minds.

Durham County Council's highways committee is to consider a report on a fresh consultation with people at Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street.

It was ordered after the Local Government Ombudsman found fault with a decision-making process that led to the committee endorsing the 70mph limit on the A167, from Durham to Chester-le-Street, two years ago.

The campaigners, who have been joined by residents at nearby Plawsworth and Plawsworth Gate, have been fighting for a 50mph top speed because the village is split by the road and there are no footbridges, underpasses or pelican crossings.

They say the council is breaching its own policy by setting the maximum speed through a village at 60mph.

The campaigners are backed by Durham North Labour MP Kevan Jones, who has joined them on high-profile roadside protests and described the 70mph limit as "ridiculous''.

County council officials are drawing up a report following the consultation and it is expected that the highways committee will consider it, along with a recommendation on the speed limit, at its meeting on September 12.

Peter Lawson, chairman of the Chester Moor Community Group, which has led the campaign, said: "We hope that after doing the consultation they have now got the message loud and clear.

"It isn't just the speed of the traffic on the road, and the fact that there are pedestrians trying to cross it. It is also about people's quality of life. They have to put up with the noise and the volume of traffic, particularly the boy racers, who use the road at night, and motorbikes."

He added: "We don't know what the recommendation to councillors will be or what the outcome will be, but we hope we are successful.''

A county council spokesman said: "There is a report being drafted as we speak and we hope to take it to next month's highways committee.

"We have carried out what we think is a thorough consultation and that will be reflected in the report. We cannot say what the recommendation to the committee will be."