A £10,000 SCHEME to calm traffic has been approved.

Westwood Way, in Hartlepool, is to be narrowed to one lane at three points, forcing vehicles travelling in one direction to give way to oncoming traffic.

The so-called pinch points are part of a wider package of safety measures on the Clavering Estate, which already includes a 20mph zone outside the local primary school.

The approval for the latest safety measures was given by Councillor Victor Tumilty, Hartlepool Borough Council's culture, leisure and transportation portfolio holder.

He said: "A survey has shown that many vehicles travelling along Westwood Way exceed the 30mph speed limit, and it is clear that action is needed to slow them down."

The safety scheme will be funded through the council's local transport plan, and work is to begin next month.

The measures were welcomed by Councillor Rob Cook, chairman of the council's North Neighbourhood Consultative Forum and a Hart ward councillor.

He said: "The issue of traffic speeds on this stretch of road has been raised at forum meetings, and I am delighted that action is to be taken.

"There are many families with young children living on the estate, and many have to cross Westwood Way to reach Clavering Primary School or the local shop.

"The 20mph zone outside the school has already had a positive effect on road safety, and I hope that these latest measures will similarly benefit residents."

The speed limit reduction outside the school was granted in March, after a two-month study by the neighbourhood services scrutiny forum.

During its investigation, the forum received evidence from a wide variety of sources, including the public, schools, Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond, the town's MP, Iain Wright, the council's road safety team and school-crossing wardens.

A report detailed how six children were injured in the past three years. The accidents happened outside schools during school hours, and all were categorised as slight.