A resident-led campaign to improve safety along a busy road described as 'notoriously dangerous' has succeeded in making it a 20mph zone. 

Waltham Forest council launched a consultation last month on a range of measures aimed to bringing the speed down in Winchester Road, Highams Park, following a petition and a number of serious accidents. 

The narrow 30mph road, which runs between The Broadway and Wadham Road, is often plagued by congestion as it is regularly used as a cut-through for HGVs and serves bus routes 212 and W16. 

The measures, which include raised zebra crossings and junctions, speed humps, and narrowing of the carriageway at bends to deter HGVs, will now go ahead after 96 per cent of residents backed the proposals. 

Dropped kerbs in side roads will be re-aligned and include tactile paving to improve access for vulnerable people and new signs will be put up to deter lorries from using the road. 

Official figures show there were seven collisions resulting in injury in Winchester Road between September 2011 and September 2014. Four of the accidents involved a pedestrian, two cyclists and a motorcyclist.

Mother-of-four Karen Murray, 43, of Winchester Road, launched a petition which was signed by over 70 households in March last year after fearing someone would be killed along the 'race track' road.  

Residents were informed the £250,000 Transport for London (TfL) funded scheme would go ahead on Wednesday (July 8). 

Ms Murray, said: "This is fantastic news and shows that the 'people power' of residents can make a difference.

"I am really pleased that everyone concerned, including councillors from all parties and the council's traffic team have worked together to help the community get these measures put in place so soon and make Winchester Road a safer environment. 

"I hope this campaign inspires others to take action on other issues in the area."

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

Conservative cllr Sheree Rackham, said: "I am delighted that common sense has prevailed.

"I hope this will bring a much-needed sigh of relief to residents and pedestrians having to take their lives in their own hands when walking out of their front doors on a daily basis in Winchester Road.

"Hopefully this will also stop the persistent damage to parked cars and the expense of repairs to their vehicles. 

"I am confident that no serious accidents will now occur due to the measures and I would also like to commend Karen Murray, who has fought tirelessly for these measures to be introduced for over two years, well done Karen.

"People Power has prevailed."  

Works to implement the changes will start at the end of this month and will finish in September.

During the works, temporary traffic lights will apply and to keep traffic flowing along the road, some side roads will also be temporarily closed.    

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Karen Murray holds a copy of the consultation with families and cllr Tony Bell in Winchester Road 

Here is a video of councillor Sheree Rackham speaking out on Winchester Road