RESIDENTS of a congested street leading to an industrial estate have branded it an "accident waiting to happen" unless speeding restrictions are introduced.

Many homeowners on East Mount Road, in Darlington, say the volume and speed of the traffic has got so bad they no longer want to live there.

The road leads past several factories and scrap yards, and many vehicles using the road carry chemicals or heavy goods.

Although 'Speed Kills' signs have been installed on the street - which has a 30mph limit - concerned residents say that is not sufficient and called for traffic-calming measures to be introduced urgently.

Yesterday, Darlington Borough Council told The Northern Echo they are actively looking at ways to ease residents' fears.

Carole Gilmour, speaking on behalf of East Mount Road residents, said the traffic outside her home often left her terrified.

"Everyone is living in fear that a huge truck will come through their front window. It's an accident waiting to happen," she said.

"More than 80 per cent of people using this road are well over the limit, they know they're speeding, but no one seems to do anything about it.

"Imagine the devastation that could be caused if a speeding chemical tanker crashed.

"Even though it's next to an industrial estate, there are people living here and a lot of us have got kids.

"These are our homes and we don't feel safe in our living rooms.

"Something needs to be done before a tragedy happens."

A council spokesman said: "Eastmount Road is on our regular programme for speed visors, so we have those there on a regular basis.

"We also recently increased the size of some additional signage we put in there - we have signs warning people that speed kills and they're more prominent now.

"We're also actively looking at proposals for some traffic calming measures."