A DAMNING report on a village traffic calming scheme could land Darlington Borough Council in hot water.

Neasham resident Simon Bailes told the parish council meeting on Monday that he had commissioned a survey from an independent engineering company to look at the problem in the village.

He said the report, which he would later make available to the parish council, was damning of the whole affair.

He claimed the work, which cost £24,000, did not follow the final plans drawn up by the borough council and the scheme had not been the subject of proper consultation, required by local government legislation.

"This is not traffic calming; it is purely visual," he said.

Mr Bailes also revealed the borough council had responded to his complaints regarding his dealings with its highways department with £200 in compensation.

However, Mr Bailes said he had taken legal advice which suggested that the borough council's internal inquiry into the matter may not have been carried out in a legal manner.

He added: "I am looking at all the options in relation to traffic calming in the village and considering the best way forward in the interests of all parties."

Neasham Parish Council vice-chairman Coun Eric Miller, at Monday's parish council meeting, said several villagers had complained that the traffic calming measures were having little or no effect.

He said: "Even the buses can drive straight through without deviating. We are grateful to the borough council for trying to do something about the problem, but it's a complete waste of money if it's not going to work."

He added: "We've got to get on to the borough council and ask them to explain themselves; this is £24,000 of taxpayers' money completely wasted."

Members agreed to wait until they had seen Mr Bailes' report before considering any possible action.

A spokesman for the borough council said on Wednesday: "We believe the work we carried out is in line with Government guidance and is working well.

"Officers visited the scheme on Tuesday and will be carrying out speed monitoring and measurement within the next couple of months which will clarify how beneficial the improvements have been.