Villagers in Mid Sussex have cautiously welcomed revived proposals to widen a notoriously dangerous section of the A23.

The steep two-mile stretch between Handcross and Warninglid has been the scene of numerous accidents, with 119 people being injured there in the last five years.

Nearby villages have also been plagued by commuters avoiding bottlenecks which build up daily on the winding road.

Proposals to widen, straighten and light the dual carriageway, which runs over Handcross Hill, were first mooted almost ten years ago but the £10 million project was axed in 1996 by the Conservative government because of a lack of funds.

The new package put together by the Highways Agency will be published for public inspection later this month.

Residents of nearby villages such as Slaugham, Warninglid, Handcross and Balcombe are keen to see the A23 made safer, and many were disappointed the works were not carried out as part of £60 million improvements from Pease Pottage to Brighton, which started in 1993.

However, they are concerned the project could take up to two years, during which time even more commuters will be forced onto small B roads.

Michelle Ryan, secretary of the Warninglid Residents' Association, said: "I haven't seen the exhibition so it is too early to comment in detail.

"Broadly speaking I think the plans are sound but it's how they are accomplished over the two years the work is expected to take and how they will deal with the traffic that matters.

"We don't want to see Warninglid become a rat-run."

Daphne Simpson, secretary of the Slaugham Society, said: "All of us want the safety on that bit of road improved.

"But if the slip road into Slaugham has to go, which the Highways Agency has suggested, people might object as it would mean a diversion to get into the village.

"Last time residents objected to the lighting of the road but I don't think that is on the agenda.

"However, we've been told certain things will be carried out "subject to funds being available", which we've all heard before. It was stopped altogether last time for lack of funds.

"I'm interested to see the full plans later in the month and I'm sure it will be much discussed at the next Slaugham Society meeting."

Police have long warned of the dangers at the stretch because cars have to slow down when the steep road changes from three to two lanes.

PC Stuart Richardson, a police casualty reduction officer, has worked in the area since 1975.

He said: "That stretch causes a lot of problems. I'm very pleased it's going to be looked at again."

Mid Sussex MP and Slaugham resident Nicholas Soames said: "I'm delighted these proposals have been put forward - and not just as a local resident.

"I'm pleased for all the people who use the road as that stretch has been a real accident trap."

Plans will be unveiled in a public exhibition at Handcross Parish Hall on May 16 and 17.

Officials from the Highways Agency, part of the Department for Transport, which looks after trunk roads and motorways in England, will be available to answer questions about the scheme.