CAMPAIGNERS have stepped up their bid to keep learner drivers from using an affluent South Woodford estate to practise manoeuvres.

Residents of the Firs Estate have been battling for a decade to persuade Redbridge Council to ban trainee motorists from using their estate and have even taken the matter as far as the High Court.

And leading campaigner Eddie Blackwell has said residents are now prepared to take the matter back to court unless something is done soon.

Mr Blackwell, 75, added: “A letter is also going to the secretary of state for transport to be delivered by hand.

“We're starting again for the tenth year.”

He has also written to council leader Keith Prince and claims he was told council officers had been given a full briefing on the matter – but has had no further response.

Mr Blackwell also claims new legal arguments have come to light, showing home owners in fact own the land underneath the highway and that it is illegal to conduct business on it.

He said: “The only legal right motorists have is to go up one side of the road and down the other.”

He and his fellow campaigners want the council to put up “no entry except for access” signs to keep learners off the estate but have been told it would be too difficult to enforce.

Residents of the estate claim learner drivers have caused accidents on the estate and Mr Blackwell said there had been three more over the festive period.

He said: “They block the road. They're making residents go up the wrong side.”

The Guardian reported in October that tensions were mounting on the estate as rows broke out between residents and driving instructors.

A council spokeswoman said: "The council remains sympathetic to Mr Blackwell's cause and the concerns of the residents of this estate.

"The position remains unchanged in that there is no easy solution as these cars have the same rights to use these public highways as any other motorist.

"Officers have reviewed all other other possible options and continue to work with the Driving Standards Agency and the Driving Schools to reduce the use of this es tate on a voluntary basis.

"As previously stated the use of “No entry except for Access” signs is not practical, because they cannot be easily enforced.

"The council will follow up Mr Blackwell's claims that he has not had a reply to his letters and ensure that he receives a written response as soon as possible."