A scheme to calm traffic in Darlington has been blamed for creating a "rat run" in a nearby street.

The scheme, aimed at slowing down drivers along Salters Lane South, has reduced the speed of traffic along that busy stretch, but at a cost to others, according to residents.

At a Transport Forum meeting this week, Frank Ward, of the Darlington and District Driving Instructors' Association, blamed the scheme for creating a serious speeding problems in nearby Hutton Avenue. He said: "The scheme has taken all the traffic from Salters Lane South and shoved it down Hutton Avenue.

"We have seen a 33 per cent increase in traffic since it was created and I know of two accidents involving children which have happened already.

"Before the speed restrictions went in anyone going down Hutton Avenue tended to be people living in the locality. Now people use this as a rat run and they are shifting down the road at 40 to 50 mph."

John Ray, Darlington Borough Council's highways manager, refuted claims that the majority of traffic used Hutton Avenue as an alternative route.

He said: "I think it is wrong to say that all the traffic has transferred from Salters Lane to Hutton Avenue.

"Hutton Avenue averages around 300 to 400 vehicles a day, Salters Lane South around 5,000 a day.

"However, we will look at the speeds along Hutton Avenue. There are options to provide traffic calming along here if it is needed."