They drive down the slip road before turning into Alloway Terrace, then joining up with the Kingsway from Pitkerro Drive.

However, motorists were confronted this morning by around 20 protesters, including children, urging them to slow down as they passed.

Residents, many of whom have young children who need to cross the road in order to get to school in Mid Craigie, say drivers are speeding down the road and it is only a matter of time before a child is killed.

An elderly woman was knocked down in the road last December and residents have clubbed together to campaign for the council to introduce a 20 mph speed limit or even to have the road closed to traffic.

Speaking at the protest, Pitkerro Road resident Leigh Jackson said, “I’ve got three young children and it would just take one of them to step on to the road when a car is coming and they wouldn’t have a chance.

“We asked the council for speed bumps to be put in, but were told it wouldn’t deter the drivers. I think there should be bollards put in so it would completely stop them.”

Nicola Duncan, who helped organise the protest, added, “I’ve only been living in the area for 14 months, but since I’ve come here there’s been a big problem.

“The drivers just won’t slow down. I don’t mind them using the road, but there are lots of children in the area and cars parked on the street, so they should show consideration.

“Some cars even drive across the grass verge to get on to the slip road when they see queues of traffic on Pitkerro Road.”

Pitkerro councillor Christine Roberts, who attended the protest, said she had spoken to Dundee City Council’s planning and transportation department.

She said they were willing to introduce traffic calming measures, so long as it had the backing of all residents in the area. So far, protesters have polled 23 homes along Pitkerro Road, with 20 of them in favour of taking action to slow the traffic down.