A £24 million scheme to cut deaths on the A24 will be unveiled next week.

Public exhibitions will be held to highlight the scheme.

There were seven fatal accidents on the stretch between Washington and Southwater between May 1999 and April this year.

Eighteen people were seriously injured and 79 sustained minor injuries.

The accidents generally happened at gaps in the carriageway where motorists were turning and at junctions, according to West Sussex County Council.

Although subject to planning permission and a possible inquiry, three major junction improvements at Buck Barn, Dial Post and Steyning Road will allow all 28 central reservation gaps between Ashington and Southwater to be closed.

The Department for Transport has provisionally accepted the project for a start on construction in 2006 at an estimated cost of £23.8 million.

Exhibitions will be held at Partridge Green Village Hall on July 9, from 2.30pm to 8pm, and July 10, from 10am to 4pm.

They will also be on show at Dial Post Village Hall on July 12 from 2.30pm to 8pm and July 13 from 2.30pm to 8pm.