TRAFFIC surveys are being carried out to investigate the impact of £4 million road changes amid concerns the project is pushing congestion into other parts of the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council officers will be carrying out a second stage of traffic surveys in September on the impact the Lewes Road project is having on routes in and out of the city.

Woodingdean councillor Dee Simson told the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee that residents in her ward were “up in arms” over a huge increase in traffic which they say has seen the area become a main cut through for both north to south and east to west traffic.

She said the project had been held up as “a shining example” after winning national awards but had caused three times the level of congestion in surrounding areas at all times of the day.

Coun Simson said that some residents had requested their roads be closed off to stop motorists using them as “rat runs”.

Green councillor Pete West said that the Lewes Road scheme should not be held responsible for all Woodingdean’s traffic problems and that other factors, such as increased car ownership, should be taken into consideration in any study.