ROAD safety campaigners have expressed their disappointment at a council decision to maintain the 70mph speed limit through two County Durham villages.

Chester Moor and Plawsworth residents wanted to see the stretch of the A167 where they live reduced to 50mph.

But Durham County Council's Highway's Committee yesterday decided to maintain the limit.

Residents objected because they say the road is too hazardous to cross and effectively isolated half the village from the local amenities.

A 162-name petition was submitted to the committee and members yesterday visited the site before making their decision.

Civil servant Peter Lawson, 58, of Chester Moor, said: "Our campaign did not succeed and we are disappointed in the extreme. This may make things better for motorists but it does nothing for people who want to cross the road. Pedestrians weren't even mentioned.

"The strength of feeling is that this is not going to stop here. We hope there is something we can do to take further action."

The committee agreed to back a consolidation order, which means the existing speed limits on the A167 between Chester-le-Street and Darlington stay as they are.

Highways committee chairman Harold Douthwaite said: "We considered the issue extremely thoroughly both in committee meetings and on site.

"It has been a very, very difficult decision to come to but the right decision has been made."