PROTESTERS waved placards on the Town Hall steps before handing in a petition calling on council bosses to ban lorries thundering down their quiet street.

Residents say up to 200 heavy goods vehicles travel along Woodcote Valley Road, Purley, every day.

The first lorry trundles by at 6.30am, according to people living in the street.

On Monday evening more than 20 people joined the demonstration at the Town Hall in Katharine Street before handing a petition, with 396 signatures on it, to the council.

It is understood the vehicles are travelling to Brighton, but it is not clear where they are coming from.

Residents have already complained to council bosses about their houses shaking as the HGVs roll by.

And parents are so worried that their children could be knocked down, many are getting behind the wheel and driving their youngsters to nearby St David's Primary School.

Mum-of-two Melanie Wood, of Woodcote Valley Road, said she has started driving her two daughters to the school despite it being on the same road as her house.

The 44-year-old said: "I wake up every morning to my wardrobe shaking. The noise is terrible.

"And the size of the lorries – they are so menacing, thundering down the road. I won't walk the kids to school because I am terrified there will be an accident."

Pensioner Alex Winkley, who helped collect signatures for the petition, said he was met by enormous support from neighbours.

Mr Winkley, who has a speed bump on the road outside his home, said the weight of the lorries as they go over the bump has caused cracks in his kitchen.

He added: "The response we got to the petition was 95 per cent positive.

"For me the noise and the weight are terrible and my kitchen wall is covered by cracks because of the pressure they create."

Pensioner Margaret Morgan says she will not cross the road now because it is so dangerous.

She added: "Sat at home, you can hear the noise, because they are so frequent it is almost constant."

It is thought HGVs use the road because although it has speed bumps it is quicker than other routes.

A spokesman for Croydon Council said the petition would be given "considered attention".

He added: "While the council is always keen to support residents, we will need to verify the circumstances and endeavour to understand why Woodcote Valley Road is allegedly being used in such an intensive manner when what many would consider to be more appropriate routes for HGVs are close by."

What do you think about the lorries? Tell us by e-mailing newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk or write to us at 3rd Floor, Jessop House, Tamworth Road, Croydon, CR0 1XX.