ELDERLY people living in sheltered accommodation have joined families in nearby streets in calling for action to stop roads off Hermon Hill being used as dangerous rat runs.

Residents of Hilary Dennis Court in Sylvan Road, Wanstead, say drivers regularly hurtle around the corner as they seek to avoid traffic lights on Hermon Hill.

Brenda Harris, 69, said: “Many of the people living here are partially sighted or disabled.

“It sometimes feels like you are taking your life in your hands when you cross the road because cars whizz round the bend at such speeds.

“I was nearly hit last week and I have fallen over while crossing the road with my grandchildren before, because we had to run to get across.”

Mrs Harris added that she would like to see a mirror put on the corner so that approaching motorists could see before turning the bend, but also thinks further traffic calming measures need to be considered.

She and her fellow residents have enlisted the help of local Labour politician Greg Eglin who spoke about the issue at an Area One Council Committee meeting last week.

A petition will be presented to local councillors in the next month.

Vicky Tyler, House Manager at Hilary Dennis Court, said: “I worry about the residents when they cross at this end of the street.

“It is an accident waiting to happen with the number of speeding cars that come round the corner.

“I often tell them to cross further up the road, but they shouldn’t have to.

“I’d like to see a mirror put on the corner, although in the long term I think the only way you’ll stop this rat run is to make this a one way street.”

Residents in nearby Wellington and Nelson Road presented a petition to councillors earlier this year demanding measures to stop motorists cutting off Hermon Hill and speeding down their roads.

The Council responded by painting SLOW markings on the road and installing flashing speed warning lights.

But 82-year-old Sylvia Mullen said the situation on Wellington Road had not improved.

She added: “We still have cars speeding down our road all the time.

“They need to introduce new speed restrictions.

“But most of all they need to stop people using our roads as rat runs.”

The Council’s Cabinet member for Environment and Transportation, Sue Nolan, who also represents Snaresbrook, said: “Officers would need to assess the road before any action is taken but the safety of residents is paramount.

“We will happily consider any petition that is presented to us.”

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