RESIDENTS have launched a petition for traffic calming measures to be installed in a road where an elderly lady was killed.

Old Shoreham Road was the scene of two horrific car accidents in the space of two weeks at the start of last month.

The road runs through Hove, Portslade and Shoreham, and residents feel it is extremely dangerous for pedestrians due to a combination of cars regularly driving above the speed limit and a lack of traffic islands.

On September 2, 86-year-old Catherine Akehurst was hit and killed by a driver at the road’s junction with Lullington Avenue in Hove, where the speed limit is 30mph - and now residents want the council to listen to their cries as they try to lower the risk of another accident.

Although it has not been said if the driver was speeding, residents have described the road as a “race track” because of the speeds some drivers go.

They feel there are not enough traffic islands for pedestrians to cross safely, which people have mooted as a danger because there are schools nearby.

The petition, started by Rebecca Blott on October 6, has received more than 200 signatures so far.

After ten working days, the council will acknowledge the petition and Ms Blott will be offered the choice of the topic being presented at full council or to have it referred to the appropriate decision-making council committee.

The petition states: “There are crossings at both Sackville Road and Holmes Avenue, however the Weald Avenue and Lullington Avenue junction is the main crossing point for families walking north to Goldstone, Aldrington and Blatchington Mill schools and south to West Hove School.

“Additionally there are numerous pre-schools and nurseries located either to the north or south of this junction.

“The vast majority of pedestrians accompanying children chose the Weald Avenue and Lullington Avenue junction to cross the Old Shoreham Road as it enables them to use Cramer Avenue, which is a much quieter and safer road than the Old Shoreham Road, to walk east or west.

“Due to the volume of traffic at peak times, it is extremely difficult to find a sufficient gap in the traffic to complete the crossing in a single trip, resulting in the need to pause in the centre of the road at the bollards.

“The standing space at the bollards is inadequate to ensure that pedestrians are safe when waiting to cross the road.” Ms Blott added: “We urge you to take action on this matter to prevent further accidents on this section of the Old Shoreham Road.”

To view it go to brighton-hove.gov.uk and search petitions.