A road which is notorious for a series of horror crashes will now have its speed limit reduced.

Wilson Avenue in Whitehawk, Brighton, will see the speed limit cut from 40mph following a successful campaign by residents.

A new 30mph limit is now expected to come into effect - much to the relief of people living on the road.

Campaigner Harry Butler, who put the case to Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “There is a real sense of relief about the council’s decision to introduce this order as there is an abiding sense of fear that if the present, largely ignored, limit of 40mph was to continue, we would be witnessing another serious accident or a tragedy again.”

The change to the speed limit will be introduced south of Vine Cross Road following a campaign where more than 80 per cent of residents who replied to a survey agreed with the changes.

The road has seen multiple collisions in recent years, with 12 crashes on the road in the three years before January 2022, resulting in 20 casualties.

Crashes along Wilson Avenue have also been known to damage bordering properties.

Concern for the speed limit on the road was also partially linked to residents crossing the road to use the East Brighton Park.

One resident said that “the fact that there is a children’s playground in the park should make the Council think about safe crossing, I would never let a child or young person go to the park alone due to the speed and lack of crossings on Wilson Ave.”

Labour councillor Nancy Platts, who supported the changes, contacted Brighton and Hove City Council to enquire about a reduced speed limit, but was told that Sussex Police would not support the changes due to the “semi-rural” nature of the road.

Residents living on Wilson Avenue and surrounding streets were quizzed on their views on the speed limit reduction. Of the 75 people who responded 60 backed the proposed changes.

The speed limit reduction is expected to be introduced by the end of the year.