RESIDENTS have formed a committee in their fight to keep a road closed.

Families in Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, fought for the road to be closed at the level crossing, the border between Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough, last December.

They were anxious about safety as the road was being used as a "rat-run" between Dixons Bank and Ormesby Bank.

But the decision by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to block the road angered many residents, particularly on the Middlesbrough side of the suburb, who claimed that it was diverting high volumes of traffic to other areas, especially The Avenue and Guisborough Road.

After discussions between the two authorities it looks likely that the road will be re-opened with traffic calming measures provided.

But the residents who fought for the closure have formed what they describe as "a democratically elected committee" called Gypsy Lane Road Safety.

The group intends to protest against the probable reopening of the road, highlighting safety fears, particularly for the children who walk up Gypsy Lane to Nunthorpe School.

Sue Watson, from the group, said: "We are talking about safety for kids going to school."