VILLAGERS demand action over a dangerous road where pedestrians are clipped by cars, vehicles crash into walls and drivers conduct regular slanging matches.
The half-mile stretch of Hayes Lane, which runs parallel to Park Road, was originally built for a horse and cart and is far narrower than most residential roads.
Mike Street, who has lived on the lane for more than 30 years, has decided to galvanise the community and put pressure on Croydon Council after he was hit on the arm by a car driving too fast.
"It has been an accident waiting to happen for donkey's years," he said.
"It's something many people have been trying to find an answer to for years.
"The pedestrian safety issue is now a ridiculous situation.
"More and more people walk along the lane and more and more drivers use it too. Various people have been hit, myself included, but unless there is blood and an ambulance, nothing happens."
At a Kenley and District Residents' Association (Kendra) meeting last week, Chris Stanley, the group's acting chair, and Mr Street brought up the issue and suggested the road became one-way – receiving support from the majority of members.
Mr Stanley told the Advertiser: "We started trying to tackle the issue about 18 months ago and have had site meetings with a highways engineer from the council.
"We thought of all sorts of options like traffic lights, chicanes, humps and even a road closure, but a one-way system seems the most feasible.
"The majority of Kendra supported the plan but there are some important concerns, like the one-way system possibly making people drive faster and more traffic on Park Road.
"We need to button down on these worries and then go to the council and tell them to open up a public consultation over whether the road should be made one-way."
Mr Street added: "The number of times we have had to come outside and ask a pair of drivers to stop yelling at each other over who will give way is a nightmare. There is no respect.
"When we get this plan to the council, it will take the best part of this year to do the consultation.
"I wait with bated breath."
