ACTION has finally been taken to improve safety on a road outside a school where four children have been injured.
Parents and pupils at Longhshaw Primary School in Hatch Lane, Chingford, have long been campaigning for measures to encourage drivers to slow down in the 30mph zone.
A small section of the road has seen 37 serious accidents in the last three years.
None of them have been fatal, but four of the five pedestrians hurt were children at the school.
Now Waltham Forest Council has spent £89,000 on trying to solve the problem, introducing speed humps with raised tables.
A new borough-wide policy to encourage cycling and improve pedestrian safety mean a 20mph spped limit has been introduced.
Pupil Aaran Davenport, 11, has won a competition to design a new road sign warning drivers to be careful.
The design, featuring a large pair of eyes surrounded by the slogan 'Watch Your Speed', is now on lampposts all around the school.
His mother, Lisa Heath, of Murchison Road in Leytonstone, said: "We're delighted. It's something to remember, I'm really proud and Aaran's over the moon.
"The road has caused real problems for ages and there were strong fears of a fatal accident because cars go far too fast for a place full of children.
But the measures in place are fantastic, it really needed something.
"It definitely makes me feel better about my son's safety. I hope they will make people slow down."
Aaran was given a bike and safety helmet as a prize.
Grandfather Vic Williams, 69, of Friday Hill West, collects his stepdaughter Courtney Lowen, 10, from the school and said he is relieved at the introduction of the safety measures.
"She knows how to be safe but that doesn't count for anything when you have fast cars speeding by," he added.
"The improvements are absolutely great. Children's safety is the top priority so it's good news. But drivers could still speed between the speed bumps."
Cllr Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for the environment, said about Aaran's reward: "We’re committed to making the borough a safer place for cyclists and to encourage more of our residents to get on their bikes."
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