COVINGHAM residents will soon see new traffic calming measures on their roads after campaigning for more than 18 months.

Two interactive signs, which flash to warn drivers they are speeding, will be installed in Covingham Drive next week.

Two pedestrian refuges, offering people a safe place to wait in the centre of the road, will also be installed there and another will be put in Kingfisher Drive.

Work will not start on these until next month.

The original speed humps, known as Berlin cushions, were installed along Covingham Drive and Kingfisher Drive in March 2003, at a cost of £8,000, but residents claimed they damaged cars and did not slow traffic.

They lobbied councillors to remove them and, after months of debate, petitions and consultations, they were torn up in May this year.

Ward councillors and residents had hoped their removal would coincide with new traffic calming features being installed. But there has been a three-month wait, which has angered residents

Former mayor Derek Benfield labelled it irresponsible.

Long-term campaigner Julieanne Mason, of Cheriton Close, said: "I did not want the humps to come out until other safety measures had been put in.

"I lived in fear that an accident would happen if it was not done simultaneously.

"But the fact that they are now going to be traffic calming features that we actually want does show the council has been listening to the people.

"The road is still used by heavy goods vehicles but hopefully that will change.

"I'm delighted that the new features are being put in place. All the campaigning has been worthwhile."

Emma-Kate Lidbury