The Mail reported on Tuesday that residents from Falcon Road, in the Bishop Cuthbert area of Hartlepool, were handing a 150-name petition to town mayor Stuart Drummond and councillor and cabinet member Peter Jackson to object to its closure.

Council bosses plan to close the road amid claims it is being used as a "rat-run".

A number of people wanted the road closed because of the high volume of traffic – with 85 per cent of vehicles using the road as a through route.

But of the small number who responded to the consultation exercise, 70 per cent were against the closure.

Now, council chiefs have promised to "look again" at the decision, taking into account any traffic measures that would have to be considered.

Mayor Drummond said: "A few residents came to see myself and Coun Jackson when they presented the petition, and asked us to look again at the cabinet decision.

"We have agreed to look again.

"It is too early to say what might and what might not be done. We will examine it again, and look at all the possible solutions to traffic issues, hopefully working with residents in Falcon Road and the surrounding areas."

But the mayor added: "The decision at the moment still stands, unless we can find another way."

Ian Dunn, 64, who runs Ideal School of Motoring and is a resident of Kittiwake Close, just off Falcon Road, was one of the residents who handed over the petition.

He said he was very optimistic at the news that the decision could be reviewed.

"I have always stated my sympathy for the residents of Falcon Road in their situation but in the end you just cannot close roads, because it affects so many other people," he said.

"It is not the end, it is the beginning."

Malcolm Culley, 57, a retired policeman, said: "Falcon Road was never designed to cater for an estate of over 2,500 houses. The council has already looked at various alternatives and I can't really see where they would get another alternartive other than opening up another access road.

"The cabinet has decided closing Falcon Road is the best option."

Residents are expected to meet again with the Mayor and Coun Jackson next month for further discussions.