Motorists could be at risk from a bridge collapse which residents fear could happen at any time.

People claim drivers are risking serious injury when they use the bridge and lane which lead to the car park at Brighton railway station.

They say the structure, which is owned by Railtrack, is cracking and a section of it has dropped two inches lower than the rest.

People are also concerned the bridge, off New England Street, could collapse under the amount of traffic which passes over it.

Sheila Morgan said: "Thousands of cars pass over the bridge every week, maybe every day.

"Each one that drives over the cracked section drops on to it and puts pressure on an already damaged area. It is a disaster waiting to happen."

Greg Brundle, of Upper North Street, Brighton, who uses the car park frequently, said: "This bridge is very busy and I am worried that something could happen because these cracks could be made worse over time.

"Maybe it has just happened because of the weather which has eroded it a little but someone should look at it."

Ward councillor Keith Taylor has pledged to look at the site.

He said: "There certainly is a crack on the ramp, there are big blocks of concrete and one of the blocks has dropped.

"I talked to council officers about it and the incident has been reported to Railtrack which is looking at it.

"It is Railtrack land and their responsibility to ensure it meets safety requirements."

A Railtrack spokesman said an engineer had been sent to the scene after being alerted to the condition of the structure.

He said: "A bridge examiner went down there who reported back.

"He said there is nothing to worry about and there are no safety issues to be concerned about."