Since the bridge in the centre of Matlock was made one-way, drivers have been using the route through the village as a rat-run putting lives at risk claim residents.

Neighbours have now joined forces to form Starkholmes Traffic Action Group (STAG) and are holding a meeting on November 25 to discuss problems with county council officials.

STAG member Paul Bradley said: "We need traffic restrictions, traffic calming and maybe even access restrictions. While the bridge is only one way the chaos will continue and we are not the only ones to suffer.

"We have already had a very serious accident and many bangs and collisions. Lives are at stake and we need to act quickly."

The group has the backing of the police and Matlock Safer Neighbourhood Team has been pressing the highways authority to make road improvements.

Mr Bradley said: "The police have shown considerable concern and now we need to ensure the highways department fully appreciates the situation."

Resident and town councillor Ian Milne added: "The county council has finally accepted there is a case for traffic calming and they have put in plan some preliminary design work.

"The issue is quite clear – the volume of traffic on the road and the speeds are colossal."

He added: "Residents want to get properly consulted by the authority. They don't want something they can't want to live with or doesn't work."

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire County Council said: "We're currently looking at what may or may not be appropriate for Starkholmes.

"We'll listen to any concerns people may have and take all of their comments into account when putting together any proposals for the area."

The meeting is being held at St Giles' Primary School at 7.30pm.

For more information on the action group click here.