A controversial £1.8million coast road bus lane could be reviewed.

Mary Mears, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, has promised to look at the A259 scheme following renewed complaints from residents in Rottingdean and Saltdean.

The bus lane was installed last year as part of plans to create a "sustainable transport corridor" between Brighton and Newhaven.

Bus operators have labelled it a huge success after passenger numbers jumped by 16% and journey times were cut but residents have complained of increased congestion and dangerous junctions.

Councillor Mears, who also represents the Rottingdean ward on the council, said she would be visiting the road with the council's transport team next month.

They will inspect changes made to the original improvements.

She said: "If the measures which we introduced to try and improve safety and traffic flow are not having the desired effect, I am quite prepared to look at the whole scheme again."

She added that the council would do everything they could to make the project work.

Her words were welcomed by residents in Rottingdean.

Jean Talbot, from Rottingdean Parish Council, said: "We want to see the whole thing scrapped. It has made very little difference to bus journey times and has created dangerous situations for a lot of drivers. The way it was before was perfectly adequate."

Questions have been raised over the feasibility of removing the bus lane if Coun Mears does decide to take action.

A considerable amount of extra money would have to be spent and there would be complications because the project was a joint venture with East Sussex County Council.

The city council declined to give a figure for the estimated cost.

Proposals are in the pipeline to complete the bus lane, which currently stretches from Brighton to Peacehaven, by extending it to Newhaven.

Roger French, managing director of the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said the lane had made a major impact and been a huge success, pointing out that journey times had been cut significantly.

He said: "We've seen a 16% increase in passengers on those routes in the past 12 months because they are having quicker and more comfortable journeys.

"Those are people who are not using their cars and reducing the congestion.

"I don't understand what people hope to achieve when they say they want it scrapped. That would not make the road any less congested, it would make it worse, with buses sitting in the queues along with the cars."

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