Cars could continue to drive on to one of Brighton and Hove's most popular parks because a barrier is likely to be opened to allow disabled people access to the park.

People living near Preston Park have accused the city council of not doing enough to outlaw drivers who have been a nuisance for years.

But council plans to keep cars out have been scuppered because they fall foul of laws aimed at ensuring disabled people have access to parks and buildings.

Belen Dilnot, of the campaign group A Walk on the Quiet Side, said: "We have been campaigning for years now for a quiet park.

"This is not too much to ask that residents can take their children for a walk in the park knowing it will be quiet and safe and they won't get run over by cars.

"We acknowledge that the park is for all and welcome disabled access but the council needs to find the money for improvements."

Councillors meet tomorrow to agree the scheme, which would see the barrier opened every day between 10am and 6pm.

Opening the barrier relies on good will and is likely to be abused, council documents say, while a more sophisticated system would cost more.

A spokeswoman said: "We understand and sympathise with the view of both groups of people and we are trying to reach an arrangement which will be acceptable to both sides."

Green councillor Rik Child, who has taken up the residents' case, said the council had chosen the cheapest possible system, which left the park open to abuse.

He said plans already drawn-up for bollards that would allow disabled people with special passes, such as swipe cards, to get into the park should be adopted instead.

"This scheme, whilst expensive, must be prioritised so all council tax payers have their needs met."