RESIDENTS have called for action after a series of near misses at a busy junction.

The people of Harrowgate Hill, in Darlington, have asked the borough council to pay the £5,000 needed to change the roundabout in Burtree Lane and Trevone Way into a T-junction.

They are concerned that some vehicles fail to slow down on the approach to the roundabout and some drivers fail to give way, resulting in minor accidents and regular near misses.

Ward councillor Gill Cartwright attended a Police and Communities Together meeting with the Darlington council's highways department and Durham Police to discuss the concerns and look at possible solutions.

They met at the junction during rush hour.

Councillor Cartwright said: "The concerns that people have raised are very genuine and real.

"During the time that the meeting took place at the site, wesaw many vehicles failing to slow down at the roundabout.

"That is why it is disappointing that cost is being considered more important than safety.

"Although the council feel that there would be some merit in the suggestion that it would work better as a T-junction, the estimated cost of £5,000 of changing it has been deemed too costly."

Darlington council said that the junction is not a priority and claims that the level of accidents is low.

A spokeswoman said: "The junction in question has been reviewed on a number of occasions and is not considered to be unsafe, if used correctly.

"Additional warning signs were erected in 2009 to warn drivers of the roundabout and to encourage them to slow down on the approaches.

"There has been one accident that resulted in injury in the past three years. Whilst this is regrettable, it indicates that the junction is not an accident hotspot.

"Residents' concerns are, however, noted. We will continue to monitor the junction over the coming months."