RESIDENTS who witnessed two car accidents in the space of a couple of hours on a busy corner are demanding action.

Two weeks ago a postman was mown down by a hit-and-run driver in Brookehowse Road, Bellingham.

An accident earlier that morning saw a white Ford Fiesta wrapped round a traffic island. The driver had to be cut from the wreckage.

Last summer residents organised a 300-strong petition after a seven-year-old boy was maimed in a traffic accident. His family has now moved out of the area.

A council spokesman said the council has failed to act because it considers the road "an important bus and emergency services route".

He added the council was aware of the problems on Brookehowse Road and it was 22nd in its list of 162 roads for improvement.

But the residents are unwilling to give up their demand for the introduction of traffic calming measures.

"It seems as if the tenants round here can't do anything about it." said local mother-of-four Jan Kelly. "This road is a race track and our kids can't even go out to play on the greens.

"The cars come speeding through, and it is too dangerous for them," she concluded.

Police are continuing their inquiries into the accident that left a postman in hospital.

The driver of the car had run away but handed himself into the police. They have not yet decided if he will be charged.

Postman Ray Lester, of Venner Road, Sydenham, suffered broken ribs, shoulders and head injuries.

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