A COUNCILLOR is calling for improvements to be made on a country road which he feels is an accident waiting to happen.

Councillor Ben Ord, who represents Spennymoor ward on Sedgefield Borough Council, wants to see improvements made to Whitworth Lane, between Spennymoor and Brancepeth.

He feels the C-class road, which runs past the ancestral home of folk hero Bobby Shafto, is dangerous to both drivers and pedestrians.

He said: "When the road was built many years ago the town was much smaller and there were far less cars on the roads.

"Today, some people use it as a route to Durham City and many people enjoy country walks around the outskirts of Spennymoor or use it to get to the hotel.

"It is a narrow, winding road so cars often get close to the path that runs along one side and it can be difficult to see walkers during the dark or because of trees.

"The path itself needs widening or at least levelling to make it safer."

No one from Durham County Council, which is responsible for roads in the county, was available for comment.

But Coun Ord said: "I've asked them about it before, but have been told it is a C-class road and the money is not available, nor is the road wide enough, to make improvements.

"But I feel something must be done, at least to improve the rough road and path surface so it is safer for users."