PLANS to alter the layout of Darlington's inner ring road could cut fire brigade response times and save lives.

Darlington Borough Council is teaming up with the emergency services to alter the central reservation outside the town's fire station, on St Cuthbert's Way, so the brigade can turn right when called out.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue say the majority of call outs in the town require the engines to turn right.

But the present layout means the engines must turn left, drive around the Feethams traffic island and double back.

The county's Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Paul Henderson, said as much as a minute could be cut from response times by the alteration.

As well as a break in the reservation, the £30,000 scheme will include flashing lights to warn motorists when fire tenders are being despatched.

The cost of the project, which is due to start in June, is expected to be shared equally between the council, the Fire and Rescue Service and the North-East Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Mr Henderson said: "We would anticipate a right turn would shave a minute off most of the attendance times.

"Eighty one per cent of the call-outs at Darlington are actually a right turn so, at the moment, we actually turn left and go around the roundabout.

"A minute is quite a considerable saving. We deal in seconds on many occasions in terms of rescues, so it is quite a major difference to us."

Les Matthias, senior divisional officer for the ambulance trust, said: "This initiative will improve response times for both emergency services."

Darlington borough councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said the scheme had other benefits.

"It's not huge money, but in many respects one of the more important schemes we will do in a long time," he said.

"This will cut time off their response rates. Minutes can make a difference between life and death for the fire brigade.

"We are delighted to be working with the fire brigade on a scheme which can save lives.

"It will make the crossing nearby more useable for pedestrians, as an added benefit.