DOZENS of people have signed a petition calling for road safety measures to be introduced on Hallstile Bank in Hexham.

Calls for a review of the speed and weight of traffic using the historic route out of the town centre have come from residents, who are plagued by lorries thundering down the bank and cars revving at speed, during all hours of the day and night.

An epetition, launched by local mum and Hallstile Bank resident, Mari Watson states: "We, the undersigned, petition Northumberland County Council to review current usage of the road, consider restricting the size/weight of vehicles using the bank and install traffic monitoring and calming measures to ensure it is used safely and considerately."

And it's already been signed by 80 people within the first week.

"I moved in to my house in November and knew it was a rat-run," said Mari, who lives with her 14-year-old son on the bank which is currently the subject of a temporary 20mph speed limit.

"But I think what I didn't appreciate is the sheer speed at which traffic hurtles down the bank and the weight and size of some of the vehicles that use it."

Mari pointed out that most of the large lorries making early morning deliveries to businesses in the town centre leave by 9am every day via Hallstile Bank.

"At it's narrowest the road width is 3.05 metres wide and most lorries and buses are 2.55m," she added.

"That's only 50 centimetres leeway, so most large vehicles do end up mounting the kerb."

Mari has been logging speeding incidents with police but is now calling on Northumberland County Council to carry out an official review of traffic volumes and speeds.

"It's hard to believe that the one-way system was only introduced in the sixties and that it was used by two-way traffic until then," she added.

"All I'm asking is for the problem to be considered and discussed, with a view to improving the situation for everyone."

The petition is available online at www.northumberland.gov.uk/Councillors/Involve.aspx#petitioninformation until September 20.

Hallstile Bank is one of 45 different streets named on a new road traffic regulation order drawn up by Northumberland County Council which proposes that the majority of Hexham town centre becomes a 20mph zone.

Identified as a priority in the Local Transport Plan by members of Hexham Town Council, Alemouth Road, Battle Hill, Beaumont Street, Cattle Market, Eilansgate, Fore Street, Gilesgate, Hencotes, Market Street, Priestpopple, and even Wentworth Car Park, are among the locations listed on the order, which is due to go out to public consultation between August 11 and September 2.

"What happens with Hallstile Bank and the introduction of a 20mph zone within the town centre is all linked to the work being done by Sustrans to redevelop the Market Place," said county councillor for Hexham East, Cath Homer.

"We appreciate we're not going to get an outcome which suits absolutely everyone, but I would encourage people to make their feelings known on all of the issues raised and we can hopefully apply some joined up thinking to improve things."