A LONE objection to a Darlington traffic-calming scheme has been overruled.

Members of Darlington Borough Council cabinet have agreed to set aside a complaint about plans to put a speed table in Newton Lane at Cockerton, allowing a £60,000 calming scheme to go ahead.

Residents and parents of pupils at two primary schools which front Prior Street and Newton Lane raised a petition calling for action, including a 20mph zone.

Nine personal injury accidents have been reported in the area, two of which involved children.

It is planned to achieve a 20mph zone by using speed cushions, speed tables and mini-roundabouts.

One resident objected to a speed table outside his property on the grounds of noise and emissions from vehicles. And despite the efforts of council officers, he has refused to withdraw his complaint.

A report to the cabinet said free-flowing traffic had lower emissions than conditions where drivers had to decelerate, but the volume would have to be very large to have any significant impact.

Cabinet member for highways and transport, Coun Nick Wallis, said there had been serious concerns about safety - especially outside the schools.

Police said they would not support a 20mph speed limit unless traffic-calming measures were also implemented. In this way, the limit would effectively be self-enforcing.