A WOMAN and her seven-year-old daughter were taken to hospital after an accident on a road where campaigners have been battling for parking restrictions for almost a decade .

The collision, between a Mitsubishi estate and a Hyundai Coupe, was in Staindrop Road, Darlington, at 9.05am yesterday.

One of the two occupants of the Mitsubishi was suffering from chest pains, and the other had stomach pains. They were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Darlington borough councillor Bill Stenson, who represents Mowden ward, said he had been campaigning for parking restrictions for nine years.

He said the accident showed just how serious traffic problems were in the area. He said he believed the situation would worsen if Mowden Park Rugby Club's Yiewlsey Drive ground was replaced with homes.

"This accident has proved one thing, that I'm right and the council is wrong," said Coun Stenson.

"It should be a clearway, but cars are parking all the way up."