A £13 million safety scheme for the notorious accident blackspot where a West Sussex teacher died has won important backing.

There have been 36 serious crashes on the 12-mile stretch of the A24, south of Horsham, since 1998.

The safety scheme would involve fixing gaps in the crash barrier along the stretch.

The most recent tragedy was in January, when Sonia Bartlett, 53, of Littlehampton, and Kirstie Masters, 27, of Uxbridge, were killed in a crash a mile south of the Buck Barn crossroads.

At the inquest, West Sussex deputy coroner Dr David Skipp said a barrier might have prevented Mrs Bartlett's car crossing the road into the path of the oncoming car.

The Partridge Green turning and Dial Post junction will also be improved if West Sussex County Council's plan is approved.

The council plans lower speed limits, anti-skid surfacing, clearer road markings, road studs, interactive message signs and safety cameras.

Work will begin on building a crash barrier between Washington and Southwater this year, whether the Government bid is successful or not.

Tex Pemberton, the council's Cabinet member for strategic environmental services, said: "We're advancing these schemes as quickly as possible and hope we can convince the Government that only major improvements will address the safety problems of the A24."