ONE of London's most dangerous roads for cyclists runs straight through the heart of Woodford Green, it has been revealed.

According to figures released by Transport for London, (TfL), 337 cyclists were injured between 1996 and 2006 on the A104, much of which is made up of Woodford New Road and the High Road, Woodford Green.

Despite Redbridge Council's plans to improve cycle routes by putting in road markings and signs on the A104, Gill James from the London Cycling Campaign's Redbridge group said it wasn't enough.

She told the Guardian: "It is a very fast and quite dangerous road and I think it's only safe for confident cyclists which is a shame because there are so many schools along there that children could cycle to, but people do not want their children cycling on such a busy road.

"I would like to see a separate dedicated cycle route which was really safe, then we wouldn't get so many parents driving their children to school, making the traffic worse."

Speeding traffic also threatens cyclists taking leisurely rides through the forest on weekends.

95-year-old John Powell, of Henry's Avenue in Woodford Green,said he enjoyed cycling to Epping in the spring and summer, but even with 90 years experience he feared the traffic.

He said: "The traffic is very heavy along there at any time of day, on any day, and it has definitely got worse over the last five or ten years. There should really be a cycle route the whole way along."

Trinity Catholic High School headteacher Paul Doherty, who has been cycling for 26 years, said he avoided the A104 because of its reputation.

He said: "The speed of the traffic is far too dangerous and have heard that it is bad for cyclists. The real danger is whether cars can really see you sometimes, as people come out of corners without gauging the distance very well. It is not as safe as it once was, and as a cyclist, I feel that it is not getting better, it is getting worse."

Transport for London maintain it is working with boroughs and the Department for Transport to make it easier for highway authorities to provide for higher levels of cycling.