FOR more than 100 years there has been an educational establishment on Cleveland Avenue in Darlington.

But now the technology college, which took over the site of the town's former Girls' High School, is due to be on the move.

Despite the loss of history to the area, many residents are relieved that the traffic congestion around their homes will now lessen.

Rita Taylor, 64, of Cleveland Avenue, agreed with ward councillor Tony Richmond that the move would ease congestion in the area.

But she added: "Losing the college will take a lot of colour away from the town because students won't be drawn to the centre and they have added positively to the area."

Sheilagh May, 36, a civil servant of Langholm Crescent, said she was concerned about students and elderly people being able to afford to travel to the new site.

"The majority of people in full time education are unemployed and if it is going to cost them a lot more money in travel then it's got to be a bad idea.

"I know some parents of special needs kids who go there and they won't be happy with the extra travel either," she added.

Increased traffic will also be an issue for the proposed site on Yarm Road.

Transport consultants will be employed by the college to access whether the site can cope with traffic caused by students and staff.

Before planning permission is considered, the college will have to prove roads in the area can cope with traffic and parking.

Issues such as park-and-ride schemes would also have to be provided by the college or its backers.

But Lingfield councillor Frank Robson, who represents the Yarm Road area, said he thought the roads could cope with an increase in traffic.

He said: "Yarm Road is an extremely busy road but trunk roads and the bypass were built to cope with traffic.

"With the council's plans for managing transport throughout the town, every area should see an increase in safety and a fall in congestion."

Principal of the college Sarah Farley said: "It is a huge undertaking but we have considered all the options carefully and know it is the best solution for our students, our staff and the town."

And Albion Small, Cornmill Centre manager added: "It is a great boost for the town to have such a college provided. I still think the students will come back to the town centre as they are creatures of habit."