Families who live on a “rat run” in Wood Green have called on Haringey Borough Council to close the road.

Neighbours in Ringslade Road have complained that more than 2,600 cars and lorries drive through the small residential street every day.

Motorists use the road as an “escape route” to get from the High Road to Station Road as there is no right turn.

Neighbours held a demonstration in the street on Sunday as part of their campaign to make the road safer.

Doug Sharp, who lives in the street, said: “We have seen our roads jammed with articulated HGVs, giant long distance coaches, to say nothing of being constantly worn down by thousands of cars every day.

“It is not safe for our children and we want it closed.”

Residents say over recent years they have seen cars lose control and end up resting sideways, blocking the road.

A lorry blocked traffic for an hour when it got stuck at the corner of Ringslade and Cumberland roads after knocking down street signs.

And in icy weather homes in Cumberland Road have been hit by cars unable to stop.

Tony McLoughlin said this situation would never be allowed in any other residential road.

He said: “If traffic officers proposed to force any other side street take this volume of traffic, they would be shouted down and prevented.”

“Yet because this problem has existed for years and has grown worse and worse, no one seems prepared to stop it.”

People living in Ringslade Road took part in a consultation with Haringey Council in January but have accused the council of dragging its feet.

They claim it keeps blaming Transport for London (TfL) for its inability to close the road.

A council spokesman said it was aware of the problem and is working with residents to resolve it.

She said: “After conducting traffic volume counts and considering improvements to the High Road, we proposed to TfL either closing or introducing a width restriction on Watsons Road and introducing a new right-turn option from Wood Green High Road into Station Road.

“However, TfL has said that a permitted right turn from Wood Green High Road into Station Road is not feasible as it would further impact an already congested junction.

“We are continuing to explore solutions and in the meantime have carried out pavement, road and lighting improvements to Watsons Road.”