PENSIONERS have urged council chiefs to install a crossing after a road accident.

An elderly man was injured when he was struck by a vehicle in Victoria Road, Darlington, yesterday.

The man was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but his injuries were not thought to be serious.

Residents of the South Terrace and Victoria Embankment areas campaigned last year for a Puffin crossing to be installed between Feethams and the Barker and Stonehouse store.

A crossing was put in place earlier this year at the South Arden Street junction with Victoria Road, providing safer access to the Safeway store for shoppers, but objectors said it was in the wrong place.

South Terrace resident Phyllis Eastwood said: "There are five people I have spoken to who said this was just waiting to happen because of the speed that cars come off the roundabout."

But Darlington Borough Council responded to the criticisms last night, saying the crossing to the Safeway store had proved a popular addition.

"There are practical problems in providing a crossing at the Feethams roundabout," said a council spokeswoman.

"As part of an on-going commitment, we are looking at traffic management improvements for the Feethams roundabout to regulate speed."

A Darlington police spokesman said the victim of yesterday's accident, which happened just after 10am, had received a cut to the back of the head.