A TOP school's long-awaited £25m rebuild has been delayed again, after neighbours said the new campus would cause traffic chaos.

Durham Johnston School has been in line for a major redevelopment for several years, and a decision on the latest design had been expected from councillors yesterday.

However, the plans, which would see the split-site school replaced with a single campus at Crossgate Moor, were withdrawn amid an outcry from residents.

They are worried that the school's new entrance would increase congestion on the busy A167, making it more dangerous for children.

Several residents have written to Durham County Council or signed a petition voicing their concerns.

Entry to the school, which is expected to be served by 12 buses, would be from a small slip road or right-turn island - plans declared safe by an independent auditor.

However, one resident said if the plan went through, it would be a question of when, not if, a child was killed.

The scheme was withdrawn from the agenda of yesterday's county council's planning committee meeting at the last minute, and a site visit was cancelled.

John Byers, a council planning officer, said: "The application has been withdrawn. The county council wishes to consider the issues raised. The process is expected to take a few weeks and, hopefully, we'll be reporting back to the committee as soon as possible."

Durham Johnston School's 1,450 pupils are divided between sites in Crossgate Moor and Whinney Hill.

The school produces some of the best exam results in the country. However, some of its buildings are 70 years old and crumbling.

It is expected to be the first in the county to benefit from the £400m Building Schools For The Future programme.

The plans would see a two and three-storey building built on a playing field, with six pitches including a synthetic facility, two hard courts, an outside performance space, soft play areas, nature conservation trails and wildlife sites.

The school's main buildings would be made of glass, red brick and coloured panels.

It is hoped to open the school in September next year.