CAMPAIGNERS are poised to win a crucial victory in their fight to stop speeding cars crashing outside their homes.

More than 350 people signed a petition calling for traffic-calming in Radipole after a series of accidents on the bend near the bridge.

Bob and Ruth Bray, from nearby Letterbox Cottage on Radipole Lane, warned of a tragedy waiting to happen after a motorist crashed a stolen car through their front door.

Now members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's environment and conservation committee are set to lend their backing to calls for traffic lights and a footpath.

Martyn Gallivan, council engineering chief, has asked the committee to recommend the scheme to Dorset County Council.

He said in a report: 'Over the past few months the council has received reports from residents of Radipole village of a number of traffic collisions.

'Residents have stated that the number of these incidents appears to be increasing and believe that measures should be taken to slow down traffic and reduce the attractiveness of the lane as a through route/short-cut, which in turn would reduce the number of incidents and make it safer for road users. Specifically, pedestrians, cyclists and equine traffic.'

He added: 'The petition proposes the instigation of one-way shuttle traffic signals over Radipole Bridge.

'This type of system has been successfully used at Chickerell Road and also elsewhere in Dorset, such as Longburton and Lower Burton at Charminster.'

The council held traffic surveys last summer, which recorded traffic flows of up to 7,829 vehicles per day.

Talks have been held with the county council, which would be responsible for the scheme.

The works would cost about £30,000 to £40,000 for lights and between £5,000 and £15,000 for associated civil works but the road would be shut while this is carried out.

Campaigners from the Radipole Action Group handed the petition to the council in February with support from the Dorset Cyclists' Network, Wey-mouth and Portland Access Group and Southill Community Pre-School.

The move comes after two recent crashes into the building of Letterbox Cottage and its garden.

A motorist crashed a stolen car into the house in the early hours in March and a car ploughed into their garden and wall last year.