Pedestrians have complained a crossing introduced as part of a £4 million road safety scheme is putting lives at risk.

They spoke out after a pensioner suffered life-threatening injuries when he was in collision with a motorcycle in Viaduct Road, Preston Circus, Brighton, at 4pm on Friday.

He remains gravely ill in hospital. The victim's wife was also hurt, while the 38-year-old motorcyclist, from Brighton, suffered back injuries.

Although the crossing is regulated by traffic lights it is on a corner where vehicles travelling in two lanes of traffic are allowed to overtake.

Chris and Fran Floyd, of Ditchling Rise, Brighton, say they and their neighbours have frequently complained about the need to make urgent safety improvements.

Mr Floyd, 54, said: "We and other people have written to the council several times. It is an exceedingly dangerous junction."

He said pedestrians using the Viaduct Road crossing were often held up a long time by the traffic.

When they did get a green light it was only on for a matter of seconds and the section of road they had to negotiate was just metres after a blind bend.

Mr Floyd said: "We cross there several times daily and regularly see people having to run for safety. Motorists just drive at the pedestrians and expect them to run for their lives."

Green Party members complained about the junction soon after the £4 million London Road traffic scheme was introduced in 1998 and asked for speed cameras to be installed in Viaduct Road in 1999.

Councillor Keith Taylor said: "Traffic at Preston Circus does represent a danger for pedestrians as this accident has shown.

"We have called for traffic calming measures and hope now this will be taken seriously."

A council spokesman said: "Preston Circus is one of a large number of areas that we are likely to look at over the coming months when considering our next round of traffic safety improvements.

"It is a very busy junction and we would appeal to pedestrians to pay full heed to the existing traffic light and crossing regime."