An attempt to end reckless driving in Chingford ‘rat-runs’ has been largely welcomed by the community, but there are calls for further public consultation over concerns the problem will be moved elsewhere.

A number of residents challenged the council's senior traffic engineer, Chris Harrison, at a Chingford Green and Endlebury ward forum meeting last night over plans to block some roads to improve safety.

Heathcote Grove, Gunners Grove and Colvin Gardens, have been identified as being used by drivers taking a short cut between Chingford Avenue and Larkshall Road, with many said to drive at high speed in the residential streets.

The council is considering a plan to introduce a car barrier in Gunners Grove, at the entrance of Organ Lane alleyway to prevent drivers using the route.

However, the move is expected to increase traffic in nearby Endlebury Road, which has seen 10 accidents resulting in injury in the last three years and where 85 per cent of motorists were found to drive over the 30mph speed limit. 

Plans to introduce three speed humps, a raised zebra crossing at the junction with Heathcote Grove, an additional zebra crossing at the entrance to Ridgeway Park and a complete re-design of the junction with The Ridgeway in road have been welcomed.  

The Ridgeway junction re-design will involve reducing entry to a single lane, moving a bus stop away from a bend and installing pedestrian islands. 

Father-of-two Richard Brandon spoke out in support of the measures. 

He said: "Every day I fear for my kids.

“We need to slow the road down before someone is killed on the pavement. 

“I'm fed of seeing Range Rovers driving at 70mph. 

"Something needs to be done in this racetrack road." 

Cllr Roy Berg, of Endelbury Ward, agreed. 

He said: "I have been fighting for this for 35 years. Previous attempts have fallen by the wayside.”

However, the proposed barrier in Gunners Grove was criticised by several people at the meeting, including Audrey Loin, who lives 50 yards from the proposed location. 

The 82-year-old resident of Colvin Gardens said: "I don't think it is much of a rat-run.

“I counted three cars a minute in both directions during the morning rush-hour and the school-run.

“It has not been well thought-through.” 

Chairman of Dale View Residents Association, Gordon Wilkinson, described the move as "taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

He added: "All that would happen is you transfer all the traffic from one road to another."  

The deadline for submitting comments is February 6.