Measures to improve safety in a road described as a "race track" due to regular speeding drivers have been welcomed by a mother who has campaigned for action.   

A petition was launched last year by mother-of-four Karen Murray calling for something to be done after a number of collisions with parked cars in Winchester Road, Highams Park.  

The narrow 30mph road, which runs between The Broadway and Wadham Road, is also often plagued by congestion as part of two bus routes and is regularly used by heavy goods vehicles. 

In February an 11-year-old girl was rushed to hospital with head, knee and elbow injuries after being knocked over at the junction with Haldan Road on her way to school.  

Official figures show there were seven collisions resulting in injury on the road between September 2011 and September 2014.  

Cross-party Hale End and Highams Park councillors backed the calls for further speed controls.   

Waltham Forest council has now launched a consultation on improving road safety and is proposing to make Winchester Road a 20mph zone with raised junctions and zebra crossings, and speed tables.  

Other proposed measures include narrowing the road and extending the footpath by Evanston Avenue, extending a concrete island in The Broadway to prevent dangerous u-turns, re-aligning dropped kerbs with tactile paving in side roads to improve access for vulnerable users and new signs deterring heavy goods vehicles from using the road.   

Ms Murray, 43, believes the range of measures would improve safety "massively".  

She said: "I'm really pleased and if everyone agrees, these changes will bring down the likelihood of collisions, near misses and car damage.       

"To be fair to the council, they have covered every aspect of residents' concerns.  

"We showed the council a lot of people do care at a meeting earlier this year and I don't think they were used to such vocal residents.  

"This will bring about positive change and hopefully make it a lot safer for children crossing.  

"The whole idea is to reverse the perception it is a main road when it is residential."

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Mother of four speaks out on road safety issues

Karen Murray, who desrcibed Winchester Road as a 'race track road', started her campaign in 2014  

Hale End and Highams Park Conservative cllr, Sheree Rackham, said: "I am all for anything that improves safety on Winchester Road with so many near misses.

I believe the borough is going 20mph so I am not at all surprised this is going to be put in, my only concern is if drivers will take any notice and slow down. 

"I am worried about how the council and police will enforce this. 

"It is really down to the residents to go with the proposals they are happy with. Of all the residents I have spoken to in the road, the majority are in favour as am I of traffic calming measures taking place as soon as possible."

Mini Holland design principles would be introduced to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrains, slow down traffic and ease congestion, the council has said. 

The deadline to take part in the consultation is June 15.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Karen Murray (centre) with concerned residents at the top end of Winchester Road

Views can be submitted by email to traffic.scheme@walthamforest.gov.uk