A road re-organisation scheme which has divided community opinion will go ahead despite concerns, the council has confirmed.

The Peterborough Road Improvement Scheme in Leyton will be rolled out in seven roads in November, in an attempt to cut ‘rat-running’ traffic.

However, some residents in the area have criticised the plans, claimng there are much easier ways to ease traffic than implementing one-way zones.

The roads affected will be Peterborough Road, Matlock Road, Essex Road, Liverpool Road, Nottingham Road and Colchester Road.

West End Avenue will be closed to cars at the junction with Peterborough Road, with access for cyclists only.

Waltham Forest council has now revealed that 26.6 per cent of households had responded to its consultation - double the usual amount.

A council spokesman said such a scheme can be implemented if a minimum of 10 per cent of residents respond.

He said: “266 responses were received as part of the full consultation. This is 26.6 per cent response rate.

“The usual response rate for neighbourhood schemes is around 10 per cent.

“The council does not have the budget to conduct trials on all schemes as it did with Mini Holland.

"However, the measures in the Peterborough area are being introduced on an experimental basis and will be reviewed between 6 to 18 months and changes will be made if required.”

Transport for London money is being used to fund the scheme.

Residents expressed concerns over increased gas emissions, overspill onto other roads and access to Whipps Cross roundabout.