WORRIED parents fear a proposed link road between two villages on Teesside will turn a residential country lane into a danger zone.

Residents in Elton have formed an action group in a bid to stop the development, between the village and Long Newton.

The plan is to be the subject of a public inquiry along with a wider upgrade of the A66 to stop right-hand turns across the road.

Elton Village No Link Road Action Group supports the improvements on the A66, but says the link road is unnecessary and will at least double the amount of traffic going through the village.

The group has canvassed villagers and 70 people are also opposing the plan.

Steve Gardner, 42, a chartered surveyor who lives in Elton with wife, Julia, seven-year-old daughter Sarah, and three-year-old son James, said: "Nobody has asked local people whether they want it and most people here do not.

"It they push more traffic through the village, it will become an accident blackspot and we just want to look out for our children.

"This is just a quiet little village with one street and it is absurd for all of the extra traffic to come through here."

On Tuesday, Mr and Mrs Gardner met with a road engineer to suggest a way the upgrade could go ahead without the link road.

They said Stockton Borough Council's support for the scheme would show that the authority was out of touch with public opinion.

A spokesman for the council said: "The proper place for the issues to be raised will be at the public inquiry in early July.

"All the issues surrounding the Long Newton Interchange and link road to Elton will be subject to the fullest consideration."

The Highways Agency said the plan was designed to reduce accidents on Teesside roads.

A spokesman said: "The whole scheme is looking at ways to increase road safety, and the link road is an integral part of the plan because it will allow people access to the A66 by using a new junction."

The inquiry will begin on Tuesday, July 1, at The Swallow Hotel, John Walker Square, Stockton.