Residents living near the road where three people were killed at the weekend say they have campaigned for safety measures for years.

The section of the A27 at Selmeston was one of 18 crash blackspots in Sussex to be identified as needing speed cameras last year.

And villagers say there is at least one serious collision there every month.

Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, whose Lewes constituency includes Selmeston, successfully lobbied for a 40mph speed limit on the road.

Mr Baker, who lived next to the A27 close to the Beddingham level crossing for 15 years, said improvements were urgently needed.

He said: "I've campaigned for a long time for a mini-bypass at Selmeston.

"But it has not been progressed because some people, including East Sussex County Council, have tried to hold out for a dual carriageway, which the Government isn't prepared to approve.

"The bend at Selmeston is dangerous and that's why I persuaded the Highways Agency to drop the limit to 40mph."

Saturday's fatalities come on top of a string of other death crashes there.

Two people died when two motorcycles were in collision in May 2002.

James Bond actor Desmond Llewellyn, who played Q, died in a head-on collision at nearby Firle Straight as he drove to Drusillas Zoo Park for a book-signing session in December 1999.

More than 20,000 vehicles use the A27 every day.

Although posts warn motorists speed cameras have been installed, they have yet to be switched on.

The cameras were set up by a partnership which includes East and West Sussex county councils, Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Police and the Highways Agency.

In 2002, the Government identified Selmeston for improvements in a £1 billion blueprint to improve Sussex roads over 30 years.

The South Coast Multi-Modal Study was the result of two years of work which looked at ways to solve problems including congestion, bottlenecks and jams.

The plans include replacing the level crossing at nearby Beddingham with a fly-over.

David Quysner, who lives in Selmeston, said: "Residents in the village are very concerned at the frequency and severity of serious accidents.

"The road is particularly dangerous right the way until Firle."