TRAFFIC chaos has led a restaurant owner to call for Pinner High Street to be made one way.

Terry Farr, owner of Friend's, says the road is not wide enough to hold two lanes of traffic when cars park on both sides and claims to have seen stand offs between motorists travelling in different directions.

At times both sides have refused to back down leaving drivers blocking the road as they wait to see who will blink first.

Mr Farr, who is instrumental in organising Pinner Panto Evening, fears the problems could lead to an accident.

He said: “You do see these confrontations on an almost daily basis. They range from being quite funny to being quite scary.

“You can get people bellowing at each other at top of their voices.”

He added: “A whole range of emotions, from frustration to outright road rage, are commonplace. The ferocity of these encounters, and the foul, abusive language are astounding.

“It is only a matter of time before somebody gets seriously injured, or killed.”

Some incidents have been treated jovially by witnesses and those involved but motorists have been seen reversing up and down the street at speed.

Mr Farr raised his concerns in a letter published in the Harrow Times last week and has since spoken to a number of residents who he says are supportive.

He has also discussed the issue with Councillor Stephen Wright (Cons/Pinner), who said a one way system might be difficult but was supportive of efforts to tackle the problem.

Cllr Wright said: “It does cause some difficulty when people are coming both up the hill and down the road, particularly if they've had a drink or two.

“What the solution is I don't know.”

He said there were several possible options, including double yellow lines and a one way system.

Brendon Hills, corporate director for community and environment services, said: “We investigate all requests from residents but have not yet been contacted by Mr Farr.

“It would be very unusual to change the flow of traffic on a major road like Pinner High Street because it may force vehicles onto nearby residential roads and encourage speeding along the High Street.

“We would only consider any changes after extensive consultation with local residents, businesses and the emergency services.”