Motorists will be held up for three times longer at a rail crossing which is already one of the worst congestion blackspots in Sussex.

Proposals to cut the accident rate at the A27 Beddingham rail crossing, near Lewes, include introducing full-width barriers.

But the barriers would be closed for up to 24 minutes each hour, resulting in lengthy rush-hour delays.

The crossing would close for three minutes instead of about a minute with the present half-barriers.

Motorists already reduced to a crawl as they approach the crossing during peak journey times fear one of the county's most notorious bottlenecks will get worse.

The Highways Agency says the crossing has a dreadful safety record, with 25 accidents in the past four years.

It said vehicles frequently crashed into the half-barriers or impatient motorists drive round them.

There are plans for a bridge in a £16 million scheme recommended by the South Coast Multi-Modal Study.

Other ideas include a dual carriageway between the Southerham roundabout, Lewes, and the Beddingham roundabout.

Phil Barnett, the Highways Agency's project manager, said the new barriers would improve safety for road and rail users.

He said: "We've been in discussions with the Health and Safety Executive about safety at the level crossing and vehicles colliding with the barriers.

"Short-term measures are being brought in but the long-term solution requires a grade-separated crossing."