ROAD safety campaigners have won the first stage of a two-year battle to install 20mph speed restrictions.

People living in Victoria Road, New Barnet and the surrounding area say speeding motorists have made the streets unsafe for pedestrians.

They started the Walk Safe campaign to tackle the problem, and launched a petition, signed by 200 people, which called for Barnet Council to enforce 20mph speed limits and for a pedestrian crossing on Victoria Road.

A £100,000 package of changes has now been approved by the authority, which will make it harder for motorists to use the road as a rat-run from East Barnet Road, and improve visibility at dangerous junctions.

In a statement, Cate Fairbanks and Hanna Blond, who have led the Walk Safe campaign, said: “This is an important first step towards improving safety for all users of the road.

“With traffic only set to increase in the area we will continue campaigning for a safe place to cross and other physical measures.”

The plans, which will now go out to public consultation, involve a 20mph limit on Victoria Road and parts of Margaret Road and Park Road, a 7.5tonne Weight Limit Order on Victoria Road to stop heavy lorries, new signs, and bollards to stop cars mounting the pavements.

East Barnet councillor Philip Cohen said: “The long-suffering residents of Victoria Road have shown amazing persistence to shrug off setbacks during their campaign. The street has very narrow sloping pavements used by hundreds of vulnerable pedestrians on a daily basis.”

The Labour councillor added: “I hope these changes will give them some measure of relief from the threat posed by cars and lorries.”

The news was also greeted by Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers, who threw her weight behind the campaign along with the Labour councillors.

The Conservative MP said: “Barnet Council’s decision is a real success for all the residents who have made the Walk Safe campaign happen. I particularly welcome the proposal to introduce a 20 mph limit.

“It is great to see this local campaign group making a real difference. But there is still more to be done. Residents want a timeframe for delivery of the forthcoming improvements.

“Problems with the junction of Victoria Road and East Barnet Road also need to be addressed. These are on hold pending progress on the nearby Asda development, but it is important that they are not held up indefinitely.”