Madeira Drive was built a hundred years ago as one of the first racetracks in Britain and contributed a great deal towards Brighton's Edwardian revival.

Speed trials are still staged there every September attracting big crowds and the terraces provide an enormous open-air grandstand for dozens of events.

But the seafront road is still being used as an unofficial racetrack at night by boy racers. Other motorists have put people at risk by speeding down the road.

This is highly dangerous as a series of serious accidents, including some fatalities, has sadly already proved.

City councillors and police have been trying to tackle this problem without putting into jeopardy the future of Madeira Drive as a wonderful arena.

Temporary barriers have been successful in preventing some large pre-planned events but have been hopeless at thwarting more spontaneous car cruising Now councillors have agreed to a series of measures which should solve the problem.

They include gates at either end of the main section, speed humps, which can be removed for big events, and better lighting at night.

Parents of those who have been killed and injured on this road understandably wish the authorities had acted earlier.

But there is all-party agreement for the current proposals and they should prevent any more serious crashes on the seafront caused by cruising.