PEOPLE in a busy suburb are calling for action over a main road they claim is like a racetrack.

Traffic has doubled on Falmer Road, Woodingdean, since the completion of the Brighton bypass because drivers use it as a cut-back into town.

Cyril Berry, former chairman of Woodingdean Community Association, said: "There is a lot of concern about it.

"On some days, there is traffic queuing all the way to Falmer."

He suggested traffic calming on Falmer Road near Woodingdean.

Lord Bassam, leader of Brighton and Hove Council, has promised residents will be protected from problems caused by through traffic.

After being caught up in jams on the road earlier this week, he said: "This really brought home how much of a problem traffic is to Woodingdean. In the long term, we cannot ignore the growing problem for the area."

Residents are also concerned there could be further problems if Albion builds a stadium at Falmer. But restrictions are likely to be imposed if the club wins permission.

Lord Bassam added: "We want to promote a public transport route to the ground on match days to take the pressure off this road and then there should not be any access through it to the A27 at those times.

"We have also got to try and sign traffic away from the road, which has become overcrowded, and introduce more traffic calming."

Lord Bassam said that better policing of the road was also needed, including speed traps.

Local Labour councillor Joan Moorhouse said: "I want a permanent speed limit of 30mph on Falmer Road and other approach roads to Woodingdean. Lives will be lost if we don't do it.

"I want an early meeting with our traffic people to sort out some imaginative long-term solutions."

Coun Moorhouse called for speed reduction signs and a speed camera.

And she said the council should also consider whether to restrict through traffic going along the stretch of road.

Tory councillor Pamela Stiles said: "It is an appalling stretch of road with large volumes of traffic using it."

She said a long-term solution would be a tunnel taking through traffic away from Woodingdean and Rottingdean.

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