Barriers to lock so-called boy racers out of a crash blackspot on Brighton seafront have been used just four times since they were put up last year.

Brighton and Hove City Council spent £20,000 on the gates as a solution to years of accidents and several deaths in Madeira Drive.

But the gates, at the entrance to the drive from the Sealife Centre, have to be manned to be effective and are only being closed on average one night a month, when officers hear of planned 'cruises'.

Parents of children who have been badly hurt or killed at the spot are furious nothing more has been done to prevent future tragedies.

Pauline Jordan, whose daughter Harriet, 18, was left unconscious for several weeks after a crash on the drive, has taken her case to Councillor Ken Norman, who will raise the issue at a council meeting on January 23.

She said: "We feel the council in general is not taking an interest in this.

"People still speed down there at all times of the day and night. We feel the whole thing is not really being treated with the importance it should have."

Betty Gregory, whose daughter Lynsey Richmond died in a crash six years ago, said: "As far as I'm concerned they have done absolutely nothing.

"My campaign was nothing to do with boy racers. It was to do with everyday drivers."

She said she did not want the road closed but measures brought in to calm the traffic.

She said: "During the summer that road is quite busy with youngsters and tourists. Surely it would be best to get something done and prevent another accident?"

Permanent speed humps have been ruled out because Madeira Drive is used for annual speed trials and the London to Brighton classic car rally.

Coun Norman said the temporary measures were inappropriate for the site and suggested speed or CCTV cameras.

He said: "It needs some better preventative action. Clearly nothing serious has been done."

Inspector Paul Smith, community safety team manager at Sussex Police, said the police and council were considering better measures, including speed ramps, a new road layout and permanent gates.

Mr Smith said using the temporary barriers dragged resources away from other areas.

He said: "It is very effective when we are there but we can't always anticipate an event happening."

A city council spokeswoman said other options were still being explored.