A PLAN to install traffic humps on a residential street is being fought by some residents who fear the scheme will affect their property prices and quality of life.

But council officials believe the benefits to road safety and the reduction in casualties compensates for the impact of safety measures around the Breckon Hill Road area of Middlesbrough.

The majority of people who responded to Middlesbrough Council's consultation over the proposals were in favour of the safety measures that include a 20mph zone and speed humps.

However, Javid Khazir organised a petition to emphasise the level of opposition to the height and number of the proposed road humps and lodged an appeal against the council's decision.

He said: "The scheme is just going to clutter the area with speed humps. We are not completely against the humps, we just want the council to reduce the size, frequency and design of them.

"They talk about bringing the speed down to 20mph, but the number of humps will mean motorists will be lucky to get out of first gear.

"The council just doesn't seem to want to listen to our concerns. It is not concerned about the effect the humps will have on parking or traffic flow."

But a report by the council said safety concerns had been expressed over several years, with excessive speed, road accidents and through traffic creating the major problems in the area.

According to the authority, there have been 14 personal injury accidents in the area over the past five years, including one fatal accident.

The report, to go before the council's complaints and appeals committee on Tuesday, shows the authority targets known accident hotspots and defends the imposition of speed restrictions.

The report says: "The council has introduced a series of 20mph zones in recent years, with priority given to those areas with the highest accident records. There is no evidence of a decrease in property values in these areas.

"Records show substantial accident reductions and environmental improvements usually result."

The report recommends that councillors uphold the decision, despite the opposition of the nine households.

Officers say the height and spread of the speed humps are vital if they are to be effective.

deterrent to motorists.