RESIDENTS have called for further action to be taken at an accident blackspot where a 15-year-old boy was badly hurt.

The teenager was hit by a Volvo car on the A174 near Lazenby village on Friday evening.

He suffered serious head injuries and was taken by ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where his condition was described as critical but stable.

An 18 month trial of a temporary speed restriction was still in place at the time of the accident.

The trial was introduced following concerns from hundreds of Lazenby residents and was backed by local business and industry.

Local residents claim that some vehicles flaunt the restrictions on a stretch of road that is already dangerous.

Ann Higgins is the Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillor for Eston ward, which includes Lazenby Village, and says that more needs to be done.

She said: "We have asked the police to monitor the area and to try and enforce the speed restrictions.

"Although there have been lots of accidents, there have not been any fatalities yet.

"It is incredible that in this day and age we have to have a fatality before action is taken.

"It is just sad that this has happened and we are devastated especially when it is some thing that we were already really concerned about.

"My heart goes out to the boy and his family and I wish him the very best for his recovery."

The accident happened at about 8.50pm on Friday as the teenager was trying to cross the road.

The boy who has not been named, is believed to be local, and was with two friends at the time of the collision, both of whom were unhurt.

Police spoke to the driver of the car at the scene before he was allowed to leave.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Green said: "We are particularly interested in the events which caused the boy to cross the A174 which resulted in the accident that followed.

"We know that he had been in Lazenby village prior to the collision and we believe that he had been there for some time with his two friends before attempting to cross".

Anyone with information about the accident should call police on (01642) 302626.