Residents living along a nightmare road where motorists are said to drive like "lunatics" say they are relieved action is finally being taken to improve safety.

A proposed scheme to end reckless and dangerous driving in Chingford 'rat-runs' was launched in January by Waltham Forest council following several complaints from people living in the Gunners Grove area.

The council proposed blocking off Colvin Gardens to cars to prevent drivers using Heathcote Grove, Gunners Grove and Colvin Gardens as a short cut between Larkshall Road and Chingford Avenue. 

This proposal has now been withdrawn, but measures to slow down Endlebury Road, which serves the 397 bus, will go ahead.

In the last three years, there have been 10 accidents resulting in injury and 85 per cent of motorists were found to drive above the 30mph speed limit.

Works to install the road humps, a raised carriageway at the junction with Heathcote Grove, two raised zebra crossings and a re-design of The Ridgeway junction are expected to start next month. 

A council spokesman, said: "The scheme will also see the introduction of pedestrian islands on The Ridgeway either side of its junction with Endlebury Road. 

“In response to residents’ concerns on the proposed road closure of Colvin Gardens, this proposal has been withdrawn from the scheme. 

"In acknowledging residents’ requests for traffic calming on Gunners Grove and surrounding roads, the council will look to consult on the introduction of a 20mph zone when further funding becomes available."

Conservative councillor for Endlebury Ward, Roy Berg, has been fighting for traffic calming measures in Endlebury Road for three decades. 

He said: "Personally, I'm very happy common sense has prevailed as we were all in favour of this.

"It is the only major cut-through without traffic calming measures in Chingford and cars go through at horrendous speeds.

"Not to close Colvin Gardens was quite a sensible decision as it would not have helped the traffic in surrounding roads."

Several residents agreed the road needs slowing down but not all are convinced speed humps will solve the problem. 

Vivian Fox, 60, of Endlebury Road, said: "It's a nightmare along here. We've had two cars written off and my son has been knocked off his bike. 

"I can't see this making a difference. Drivers will just speed up to the hump and then slow down creating more noise."

Anthony Hill, 68, said it often "sounds as though cars are taking off" and Chris Mole has had to repair her garden wall twice in the last four years after five cars piles through her front garden. 

"People drive through here like absolute lunatics. This is long overdue and I welcome the changes but I don't think they are adequate enough.

"They are not dealing with the most dangerous part of the road. You are completely blind pulling out of Fairlight Avenue. It is a fast dangerous bend and one speed hump is not sufficient.