A GROUP of neighbours whose front walls have been smashed by speeding traffic are calling for action.

Up to 20 walls belonging to people living on a sharp bend in Halfway Street, Sidcup, have been demolished in recent years by vehicles which have lost control on the bend.

The most recent accident happened four weeks ago when the 4ft high front wall, iron gates and pillars of Rita Burman's home were destroyed in an early-morning accident.

This is the fourth time the Burman family has had to rebuild it.

"The crash was so loud it woke up people in the next road," said Mrs Burman, 53.

This time, not only were the wall and gates damaged, but also the driveway, Mrs Burman's car, her son's car and the front door.

"The drive and wall were replaced four years ago after the last crash.

"We have just about had enough," she said.

Her concern is that an out-of-control car will not just smash down property but will end up killing a resident or a passing pedestrian.

It is a fear shared by her neighbours. Jill Moncur, 55, has lived right on the bend for nearly 40 years and says, in the past, there have been fatal accidents.

She cannot get into her drive without running the gauntlet of the speeding traffic.

She said: "We have already had three walls knocked down in the street this year. It cannot go on."

The residents have written to Bexley asking for traffic calming measures.

A council spokesman said Bexley had proposed a new mini-roundabout at the Halfway Street/Willersley Avenue junction and the closure of Hollies Avenue to traffic, which will go to public consultation this month.

"This junction is 250m to the east of the Halfway Street/Brookend Road junction and the reduced traffic speeds resulting from the new roundabout should reduce traffic speeds approaching Brookend Road."