RESIDENTS are appealing for council muscle to make drivers slow down as they speed through their village.

People living at Carlin How are demanding traffic calming measures on the A174 where it runs through the built up area. A covering letter accompanying a petition signed by 123 people claims the number of cars exceeding 30mph is endangering life.

The petition has the support of ward councillors Steve Kay and Bruce MacKenzie. They are concerned the completion of the Skelton and Brotton bypass will increase the volume of traffic passing through Carlin How.

Now they want the bypass to be extended, to swing round Carlin How, nearby Loftus and Easington.

Coun Sylvia Szintai, Redcar and Cleveland's lead councillor for Environment and Infrastructure, said traffic calming will be considered, but an extension to the bypass will not.

"It took many years to get money for the Skelton-Brotton bypass. The Government is not in favour of building new roads but in trying to find other methods," she said.

Coun Kay said: "There have been several fatal accidents on the A174 in the vicinity of Carlin How. We believe the completion of the Skelton-Brotton bypass will make matters worse by attracting more vehicles on to Brotton Road."

Coun Mrs Szintai said: "Whether we would consider traffic calming a main road I cannot prejudge, it would be difficult. But we will look at it seriously and see if it qualifies for traffic calming."

Andy Hyams, the council's deputy director of technical services said: "There is no reason why the bypass should attract extra traffic.

"The road at Carlin How already has a 30mph limit and has a very high profile pelican crossing with overhead gantry signals. But, obviously we will keep the situation under review when the bypass opens."