Speed humps, brightly-coloured road markings and ‘Go Slow’ signs are traditional ways to encourage drivers to go easy on the accelerator.

But residents of one North Oxford street have taken matters into their own hands by installing a series of eye-catching traffic-calming measures to stop rat-runners racing past their homes.

Neighbours in Beech Croft Road, Summertown, unveiled their newly designed street at a celebration marking the end of an eight-year campaign to reclaim their road from passing traffic.

Among the unusual features are three giant planters, at the edge of the pavement, including one bearing the grinning face of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, which lights up in headlights.

‘Welcome mats’ at either end of the street greet motorists, and glow-in-the-dark painted tiles aim to remind drivers they are driving past people’s homes.

Families say the 20mph road, home to 50 households, is used as a rat-run by commuters cutting between Woodstock Road and Banbury Road.

A child was knocked down in the street in 2002.

Artist and illustrator Ted Dewan, 49, said the residents did not want “ugly and authoritarian” road markings, and hoped motorists would feel like they were a “guest” in the street.

He said: “It’s a trophy to collective creativity.

“Everything is someone’s idea that’s grown into something, including the Cheshire Cat, which was the idea of eight-year-old Olivia Morgan.

“I think the best thing about it is our sense of ownership over the road.

“When you’re in a place where you’re welcome as a guest, you treat it with respect and all the research suggests this will happen here. It’s not a traffic corridor any more, it’s more like a living space.”

Resident and project manager Shirley Clark said: “Everyone is on a high, because it’s the culmination of all this work.

“Slow and steady really does win the race. It has been a wonderful opportunity to get to know everyone.

“We really hope other streets will come and see it. We would be happy to share our expertise.”

At £10,000, the measures cost the same as three speed humps. The money came from donations by local firms and a city council grant, topped up with fundraising by the residents.

Oxfordshire County Council, the city council and police were all consulted over the project.

Resident Barrie Juniper, 79, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant.

“We’ve had plenty of opposition, but the majority of the street has been in full support.”

The scheme has not found favour with all the residents. One elderly resident who asked not to be named said: “It’s ridiculous.”

The road is one of 11 streets nationwide taking part in a pilot DIY streets scheme with transport charity Sustrans, which helps residents redesign their own streets.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk