LEARNER drivers are 'plaguing' an estate in Wanstead as well as South Woodford, a resident has claimed.

Jane Power, 65, of South View Drive, in the Nightingale Estate, has said the problem is just as bad and that she has even been unable to access her own drive because of it.

Residents of the Firs Estate in South Woodford have been complaining about the 'blight' caused by learner drivers for a decade but Mrs Power claims it may have been going on in Wanstead for even longer.

She said: “I've lived here for 16 years. One of the first things that became apparent was the learner drivers reversing round the corner.”

The grandmother-of-one added learners often block her driveway while practising manoeuvres as she lives on a corner, as early as 7am and as late as midnight.

Mrs Power said: “I know it goes on at 7am because I have to go and get my granddaughter.”

Trainee driving instructor Stuart Verney, of the Firs Estate recently defended learners, saying he believes they in fact help reduce crime because of their presence in an otherwise deserted area.

But Mrs Power said: “In my opinion, we're going to have a serious accident with learner drivers – there are too many of them.”

She added she has received abuse from instructors after remonstrating them, while pupils were still sitting in the car.

“I said they were breaking the law by parking across my driveway and they were very offensive,” Mrs Power said.

“I've had an earful from driver instructors before and I've reported it to the police.”

Residents of the Firs Estate launched a campaign to stop learner drivers from using the area, while a rival group was set up by a residents' association in the Counties Estate, Wanstead, to offer learners their support.

The council has so far refused to put up a requested “access only” sign in South Woodford, saying it would be too difficult to enforce.

Learner drivers: friend or foe? Contact the Guardian at chack@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 07768 507 739