A CAMPAIGN has been launched to stop cars speeding in a Darlington street.

People living in Westmoreland Street fear a child will be knocked down and killed unless measures are taken to slow speeding drivers.

Councillor Bill Holmes, who is acting on behalf of the residents in his North Road ward, said: "Westmoreland Street is a popular cut through for drivers travelling between North Road and the Brinkburn Road area of town.

"It is quite a wide road and cars do travel at some speeds. I have sat in my car down there and watched them myself, and I agree that there is a real risk that someone will be hurt or killed unless something is done."

Coun Holmes acted after the problem was highlighted by residents at his local surgery.

He is now calling for a meeting of Darlington Borough Council officers and residents to find out what can be done to resolve the issue.

"Buses use the road and often people step out behind them, and there are a lot of children living in the area. It is very dangerous when people are driving too fast there," Coun Holmes said.

He is calling on the council to install equipment to encourage drivers to slow down and for a survey to investigate the speed and volume of traffic.

"Speed bumps might be one way forward. But I would want to discuss all the options at a meeting with residents before anything was done," he said.

A council spokeswoman said the authority had received complaints in the past about speeding traffic on the road and would be happy to assess the situation.

She said that the speed and volume of traffic would be looked at, as well as the number of accidents that occurred in the street.

That information will provide the street with a score, which will be used to determine how high a priority it is to install traffic calming measures.

"The council will investigate the situation and seek to provide a suitable solution. Our officers would be happy to meet with Coun Holmes and the residents and discuss the problems," she said.