Accidents at Starkholmes Road have included a wall being demolished, a car written off and a post smashed – and householders claim since Matlock bridge was made one-way people have been using the route as a rat-run.

Resident and town councillor Tony Rosser said since the changes the road had become a main route meaning more crashes and speeding vehicles.

He added: "I have been trying to get something done for years.

"The general state of the road is quite poor. There are stretches without pavements.

"It has been said before that to get any action the county council would need a corpse."

Neighbour Stuart Marriott added: "It has been a lot worse since the one way system.

"There is no footpath and children cross back from school.

"To be honest the council don't seem to be able to do anything unless there has been a fatal accident.

"There has been campaign after campaign but nothing has been done."

Cllr Rosser said money had been set aside by Sainsbury's for improvements to the road.

A spokesman for Derbyshire County Council said the money was to be used to improving the road network around the town – not just on Starkholmes Road.

She added: "We're monitoring traffic levels on the road and more vehicles tend to use the route through the village to Matlock in September and October when Matlock Bath is busier due to the illuminations.

"Further changes will be made to Matlock town centre with the development of Crown Square.

"We'll continue to monitor the roads around Matlock - including through Starkholmes - and will review the situation when Crown Square has been redeveloped to look at how they've been affected and what measures, if any, are necessary."