CAMPAIGNERS have warned that simmering tensions between learner drivers and families living in an affluent South Woodford estate are reaching crisis point after a reported rise in angry confrontations and alleged assaults.

Residents living in the Firs Estate have been fighting for nearly ten years to get Redbridge Council to ban trainee motorists from their once quiet streets, following an apparent increase in the number of driving schools using the area.

At the weekend two residents reported being subjected to a torrent of abuse and threatening behaviour from driving instructors, and campaigners fear the problem is only going to get worse unless something is done.

Nisar Jaffar, 51, of High View Road, said he had his car spat on by a driving instructor and his pupil on Friday after he warned the pair about not waiting for other cars to pass.

He said: “It was very frightening. Both the men started shouting at me and giving me a lot of verbal abuse, and they took off their seat belts and got out of the car.

“My instinct was to drive off, I didn't want it to escalate. But I was quite shaken up by it all.

“It doesn't surprise me something like this has happened. I'm surprised there hasn't been anything worse.”

Cab driver Ken Taylor, also of High View Road, said: “We're now seeing rows between the instructors every day. It's horrendous.”

Leading campaigner Eddie Blackwell added: “We've got more and more cars using the estate now, and more companies, so it's not surprising there's more incidents like this going on. I've been assaulted and I know many other people who have too.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The council is sympathetic to the concerns of the residents of this estate.

“This issue has been considered by the council's area committee but there is no easy solution as these cars have the same rights to use these public highways as any other motorist. Council officers have asked driving schools for their cooperation, which has helped in the short term but the problem continues.

“Even if the drivers could be prevented from using these roads they would most likely move to other nearby streets. Unfortunately the residents' suggestions of “no entry except for access” signs is not practical, because they cannot be easily enforced.

“The council will continue to seek the cooperation of local driving schools in reducing their use of these roads.”