Transport bosses in Brighton and Hove have branded figures which name the area as one of the worst in the UK for improving road safety as “outdated” and “inaccurate”.

The Department for Transport has highlighted every local authority’s killed or seriously injured (KSI) statistics as part of a new report in light of the first annual increase in road deaths since 2003.

The results, which look at the average number of KSI in each area between 1994 and 1998 and then 2006 and 2010, reveal decreases across the board.

However, there are huge differences between areas sometimes just miles apart.

The most improved area for road safety is Halton in Cheshire where KSIs have been reduced by 70%.

Coventry is a close second with a reduction of 66% with Telford and Wrekin third with a fall of 65%.

In comparison KSIs in Brighton and Hove have reduced by 11% over the 16- year period.

Only Doncaster (0%), Bourne-mouth (3%) and Redcar and Cleveland (8%) have improved at a slower rate.

The report has named the worst performers in an attempt to end the perceived postcode lottery of road safety.

But Councillor Ian Davey , chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council ’s transport committee, said the research was “outdated”.

He said: “These snapshot figures don’t accurately reflect the current situation in which comprehensive council initiatives have led to safer roads for our residents and particularly our children.

“We actively promote road safety and work to reduce casualties through a mixture of education, enforcement, training publicity and engineering.”

Cyclist Tony Green, who was injured when hit by a car in London Road in 2010, told The Argus that speed is the key factor for tackling road safety.

The 65-year-old said: “I would like to see a 20mph speed limit on all roads in the city.

“There’s evidence that it reduces deaths and serious injuries and should be put in place as soon as possible.

“I also think more care must be taken when designing junctions – especially with cyclists in mind.”

Lucy Walters, whose sister Jo died in an accident with a truck on the A270 in 2010, said that the council had been “very good” in listening to the family’s concerns.

She said: “Obviously speed is a big issue but with the number of bikes in Brighton, more cycle lanes and the improvement of existing ones should be a priority.”

What would you do to improve road safety in Brighton and Hove?