CAMERAS will be used in a County Durham village after a survey revealed that the majority of drivers ignore the 30mph speed limit.

The shocking results of the High Coniscliffe traffic survey also showed that each week, 44,196 vehicles travel through the village at speeds in excess of 36mph.

Acting Inspector Phil Grieve, from South Durham Road Policing Unit, said that as a result of the findings, safety cameras would be operating in the village in an attempt to snare speeding drivers.

He said: "There will be an increase in visibility in police patrol vehicles and enforcement and education for offences.

"We as a force don't use speeding cameras, but we do have safety cameras.

"There are designated areas where these can be used and Coniscliffe is one."

Insp Grieve added that although the safety cameras were a temporary measure, drivers caught would be punished as normal.

He said: "These (punishments) will include fixed penalties, summons to court or warnings, depending on the seriousness of the offence."

Ward councillors Gerald Lee and Eric Roberts compiled the survey over a four-week period late last year, using the latest traffic measurement technology.

They discovered that of the 141,391 vehicles that travel on the A67 through High Coniscliffe every week, 52 per cent were breaking the limit.

The figures confirmed the fears of residents, who are worried that speeding traffic presents a risk to children at High Coniscliffe Primary School.

Residents also complained of the "horrendous noise" caused by the traffic, with the survey showing as many as 986 40ft wagons also using the road every day.