IT is virtually impossible to enforce rules to prevent roads becoming "rat runs", a councillor has admitted.

'Access only' signs were installed in Chelmsford Road, Fullers Road and Empress Avenue in South Woodford three months ago in an attempt to solve the long-standing problem of drivers using the streets as a short cut.

But campaigners say the signs are being ignored and councillor Hugh Cleaver said enforcement has been difficult since responsibility was transferred to the council.

He said: "We are grappling with a complex situation here.

"To an extent we are relying on the honesty of drivers to comply with the restrictions and follow the highway code.

"The police had an advantage over the council because they had the power to stop the vehicles, but the council has no power to do so.

"The road is no entry except for access and the difficulty comes with proving someone has entered the area, the council has to demonstrate that someone has driven all the way through the area and left the area, without stopping."

The new signs were installed where the three roads meet busy Woodford New Road at a cost of £2,580 - a cheaper alternative to the £70,000 mobile CCTV system the council was considering.

But Cllr Cleaver remains hopeful that within five years cheaper technology should become available to tackle the problem effectively.

Jill Rogers, 63, chair of the residents' committee formed to lobby the council on the issue, said: "We appreciate the signs, but feel they have made no difference whatsoever to cars using the road.

"We need the council to enforce their threat of fines, but they won't go for CCTV because they are fearful of being taken to court."

A council spokesman said: "Drivers have previously told us that they did not know what the signs mean so text has been added to clarify the point.

"The council hopes that the new clearer signs make a difference to motorists who now have no excuse for failing to recognise the restrictions.

"We would remind motorists that do try to flout the rules that they run the risk of being issued with a fixed penalty notice."

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