A REQUEST by a group of residents to repair their "patchwork quilt" street, is likely to be turned down until it deteriorates even further.

People living in the Montague Street area have sent a petition to Hartlepool Borough Council demanding that the back street, between Nesham Road and Temperance Terrace, be re-tarmaced.

The road has been repaired during the years, with patches of tarmac being laid over deteriorated areas and pot-holes.

Residents have written to the council to complain about the repairs and to call for the whole street, which is used as a main play area by youngsters, to be re-covered.

A residents' spokesman said: "About ten years ago a petition was organised complaining about the poor state of the road including pot holes and loose stones.

"We consider this is dangerous for the children who use this area for playing. Some of the holes were filled in, however, the surface is now deteriorating once again. It is also unsightly."

The spokesman suggested that money from the regeneration fund for the Headland could be used to resurface the road.

However, councillors meeting today are expected to reject the plea for help.

A council spokesman explained that the regeneration money was not available for this kind of repair and until the road was in structural disrepair no money could be found to repair it.

He said: "Deterioration of tarmac and the development of a "patchwork quilt" appearance in the highway is an extensive problem.

"Targeting resurfacing schemes on roads that are structurally sound but poor in appearance can only be achieved at the expense of other resurfacing schemes."

The council is set to write to the residents explaining that the road will be resurfaced when it is structurally unsound.