Hope of an end to accidents at one of the borough’s worst road danger spots came this week after Transport for London (TfL) completed a dramatic U-turn.

London transport chiefs pledged to work on redesigning a roundabout that is notorious for crashes, despite last month saying it was “not feasible” to install traffic signals.

The traffic hazard is at Redbridge roundabout where there is one accident a week on average.

Debate surrounding congestion and crashes at Redbridge Roundabout has raged for two and a half years.

But a petition, signed by 2,187 people, was handed to the council at Thursday’s meeting at Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.

It said: “We, the undersigned, are concerned about the slow moving of traffic in and around Redbridge Roundabout, which has serious health implications for local residents and the potential for more fatal accidents on the roundabout.”

Cllr Baldesh Nijjar (Seven Kings, Labour), the cabinet member for environment, then confirmed TfL had agreed to launch an investigation into introducing traffic lights at the junction with Redbridge Lane East in Clayhall.

The Metropolitan Police and TfL have reported just under half of the accidents at the roundabout involve personal injury.

Cllr Alan Weinberg (Conservative, Clayhall) has been particularly active in his support of RAG’s efforts to force a change.

He described trying to get across the roundabout as “every man for himself”.

Alan Haymes, of Redbridge Roundabout Action Group (RAG), also spoke detailing the measures campaigners wanted to see at the roundabout.

Speaking to the Recorder, he said: “TfL seems to be a lot more responsive regarding the points put forward in our petition.

“We even had bus drivers sign our petition because they were so frustrated. I thought the cross party support was excellent.”

The deputy leader of the council, Cllr Wes Streeting (Lab, Aldborough), admitted he was surprised it has taken this long for TfL to respond to fears.

He said: “Members have had all sorts of horrible experiences of trying to get a response from TfL - they are not the most responsive bunch.

“Recently [though] TfL has seemed to have sat up and taken notice of us.”