People want to overturn plans for traffic-calming measures on a dangerous road des- pite the high number of accidents.

Between 1995 and 1999, there were 22 accidents in Trimdon Avenue, Acklam, Middlesbrough.

Last December, mother-of-three Sue Nellist, 42, died after being knocked down on the road by a teenage drug taker, who was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Although the road was already covered by speed cameras, many local residents complained they were insufficient to prevent accidents, especially as it is used by children attending nearby St Clares and Acklam Whin primary schools.

As a result, Middlesbrough Borough Council drafted a £55,000 action plan including a 20mph speed limit, two zebra crossings, a pelican crossing, extensive signing, white lining and changes to the road surface.

During consultations, the majority of residents voted in favour of the scheme, and in February, members of the council's cabinet gave their approval.

But after the council posted a legal notice of its intention to start work in May, four letters of complaint were received from residents.

In a letter, K Gunn, of Baldoon Sands, Acklam, wrote: "I object to the proposed speed restriction of 20mph. The only time there is any problem is the half-hour before school starts and, to a much lesser extent, after lunch.

"For a problem which exists for half an hour a day, Monday to Friday, nine months of the year, it is quite unnecessary to impose a speed limit 24 hours a day, the whole year through."

The other letters object to a zebra crossing being located outside the complainants' properties.

A report to the complaints and appeals committee, which meets on Wednesday, recommends that the measures should go ahead. It states: "The figures show that accidents have been occurring at various times throughout the day and night, and the crossing to which the residents refer does not affect access to any of their driveways."

Commissioner for the Environment, Councillor Oliver Johnson, said: "I just can't understand why people are against this. If it saves one life or one injury, it's well worth it.