URGENT safety improvements are to be carried out at one of the worst accident blackspots in Sussex following two serious crashes in just three days.

Last Thursday, two men had a lucky escape when their Mercedes struck a tree and split in half at Hammerpot, on the A27 near Worthing.

Another accident yesterday afternoon in the same area caused traffic chaos.

Six people were taken to hospital after a two-car collision.

Police described the injuries as minor following the smash on the westbound carriageway at 2.20pm, but said the crash caused "mayhem" for other motorists.

Up to ten people have been killed on the notorious stretch of road and and deaths have been blamed on cars pulling out of the B2225 Arundel Road in front of westbound traffic travelling at speed down a steep hill.

Councillors and local people have been calling for improvements for years after a string of

accidents.

Now the Highways Agency is to carry out safety studies which will look into speed of the cars and provision for cyclists and pedestrians.

Improvements could be carried out early next year.

The agency has teamed up with West Sussex County Council and Worthing Council to look at improving the dangerous stretch of road.

Arun district councillor Victor Barnard, who represents Angmering, said: "I think one of the improvements to be looked at could be cutting the speed of cars from 70mph to 60mph, or maybe put in speed cameras.

"It is a bad road. Any improvements would be a good thing."

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "Safety studies are being carried out in the Hammerpot area.

"There have been discussions with the local authorities. It is hard to say at the moment what amount of money would be spent."

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