A County Durham community is fundraising for speed bumps on a 'lethal' stretch of road, a year after a nine-year-old suffered 'serious' injuries after being hit by a car. The 'Silence the Loud' campaign is being spearheaded by a group of residents who live near the 30mph-limited West Road in Annfield Plain and are trying to raise £50,000 for speed bumps. It is a hill so synonymous with fast vehicles that it is known to residents as 'Loud Bank' and children from the nearby Catchgate Primary School have designed banners calling on drivers to reduce their speed. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Just over a year ago, Dan Ross, nine, was 'thrown into the air' by a car as he attempted to cross the road on his way to the cricket club. Artwork has been designed by children from the nearby Catchgate Primary School. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) "We don’t know how fast the car was at that hit Dan," his dad Craig Ross said. "But we know fine well, living so close, how fast you can hear them [coming down the bank]." Dan and dad Craig. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Dan, who was seven at the time, was left with a broken leg, a large cut on his face and needed a wheelchair and walker when he left hospital after six days. Dan, now 9, needed six days in hospital. (Image: Craig Ross) Thirty-seven-year-old Craig was one of the first on the scene after Dan was hit by the car and described how 'panicked' he was to arrive to his son lying unconscious in the road, just yards from the family home. Dan broke his leg and had a large cut on his head after being sent 'flying' by a car. (Image: Craig Ross) He is now helping with a campaign to install speed bumps on the stretch of road, which is being spearheaded by his father-in-law Dave Stephenson, 62. "He was out from his football for a long time and then when he did come back to football, he wasn’t himself," Craig said, explaining the impact the crash had on Dan. "You know, he was wary constantly, so it affected him for a long time. "Jess his mother is worried constantly, she has anxiety with him being out. It’s still impacting us a year on, yes. Especially here, I worry." Dan struggled to get back to playing football. (Image: Craig Ross) The road has a history of children being hit by cars, with two child fatalities in the last 50 years - events which still loom large over the community to this day. A collection of meetings have been held with politicians, Dave said, stretching back to before the 2024 General Election. Dave has also met with Joy Allen, the police and crime commissioner. "Between July and December last year there were over 1,000 people speeding on the road," Dave said. "More than 70 of those people were speeding so badly that they had to be dealt with by the magistrates. That means they were doing more than 20mph over the speed limit." (Left to right) Campaigners Dave Stephenson, Craig Ross, Dave Stewart, Amanda Hards, Laura Stephenson.(Image: Sarah Caldecott)The area's MP, Luke Akehurst, told The Northern Echo: “The speed of traffic on the Loud Bank is deeply concerning, we do not want to see anyone else getting hurt. "I chaired a public meeting on the issue earlier this year and was struck by the strength of feeling locally. Local campaigners have done a tremendous job in securing funding for traffic calming, but a shortfall remains. “I have written to the two newly elected county councillors, urging them to honour the commitment made by the outgoing councillors to bridge this shortfall. "I sincerely hope that they do the right thing. I will continue to do all I can to support the 'Silence of the Loud' group in their important work.” Following May's local elections, the area of Stanley is represented by Reform's Darren Grimes and Karen Allison, who have pledged to fund shortfalls. "There's a predicted £16,000 shortfall to do this properly, we need absolute certainty that this is the actual amount necessary," Cllr Grimes said. The area's MP, Luke Akehurst, and councillor, Darren Grimes, have had their say.(Image: UK Parliament / Chris Booth) "If the council can't find the money from central budgets, Councillor Allison and I are prepared to use our local councillor budgets to meet that shortfall. Recommended reading "After a child was injured on this road, we're not letting a predicted sixteen grand stand between residents and safety. "The design work will be completed over the next few weeks, then we can get on with actually building the thing. The residents of Annfield Plain deserve action, not more meetings. "These campaigners have done the hard work - now it's time for the council to deliver. I thank the local activists for their coverage of this pressing issue for our residents.”