PEOPLE who fear that a new bus service is a safety hazard in their narrow street have sent a petition to the bus operators and the council.

Residents in Bedford Street, Darlington, fear that buses on Arriva's new 40 and 41 services, which run every half hour, could cause an accident.

Sonja Morgan, who lives in the street, said there had been two incidents where buses had damaged cars parked in the street since the services started before Christmas.

A petition of 200 signatures has been sent to Arriva protesting at the services, which go along Bedford Street from the town centre, then along Leafield Road, Park Lane and Victoria Road.

"Bedford Street isn't big enough. We have traffic from the cattle market, and people going to the nearby pubs, bed and breakfasts and takeaways parking here," she said.

"We are very concerned about safety and children in the school holidays, because the buses go so fast along here."

Mrs Morgan said that since sending the petition to Arriva and Darlington Borough Council, and writing a letter asking for a meeting with Arriva management, they had only received one letter, from the council, acknowledging the petition.

"We wrote to them three weeks ago and we have still heard nothing from Arriva, all we want is a meeting," said Mrs Morgan.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said that the bus services in Bedford Street were provided at the request of local people.

A council spokesman said: "Arriva is responding to requests from local people for these services. Originally residents wanted the services to run every eight minutes, but what they have got is the half-hourly service."

Arriva North-East operations director, Ian McInroy, said: "We are aware of the residents' petition and will be meeting with Darlington Borough Council who, in response to requests from residents, first suggested the use of Bedford Street as part of this service.

"Arriva North-East is committed to ensuring the safety of our employees and customers. We have received no reports of accidents or incidents involving damage to parked cars in this street."