RESIDENTS’ groups are pushing for a multi-million bypass to be built to alleviate crippling congestion and air pollution.

Campaigners living between Newhaven and Brighton have teamed up to fight for a link road to the A27 to help ease chronic traffic problems along the A259 coast road.

The campaign claims no more homes should be built until major infrastructure improvements providing sufficient roads, schools and doctors’ surgeries are built.

Two new petitions calling on Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and Lewes councils to carry out a joint traffic evaluation study and economic impact study of traffic congestion have attracted hundreds of signatures within days.

The petition is backed by campaign group Safe, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Telscombe and Ovingdean residents’ associations and Peacehaven Focus Group.

In October, Brighton and Hove City Council officers drew up proposals to deal with traffic problems around Rottingdean High Street.

Pedestrianisation, electric cars, £1 million road widening, one-way systems, a chicane and a £15 million bypass, which campaigners say is a “woefully low” estimation of costs, were all evaluated.

While welcoming any improvements to the current situation, campaigners are pushing for more radical solutions in keeping with the scale of the problem.

Campaigners are frustrated the city council decided only to computer model the chicane option rather than see whether one-way systems might be more effective.

Safe chairman Nigel Smith said: “Until we have the infrastructure, we should not build any more developments.

“Over 40 years ago there were plans to build a road linking Peacehaven with the A27.

“If there was need for it 20 years ago, it certainly is needed now and in the future.

“You have an air quality management area at one end in Newhaven and at the other end at Rottingdean, something has to be done.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “Discussions for improving air quality in Rottingdean High Street are ongoing with the local community.

“Any bypass would take up to 10 years and be dependent on Government funding and need permission from the National Park and consultation with those communities that would be affected by it.”

A proposed route through the South Downs National Park is a significant sticking point with councillors calling for more immediate action to improve the highest levels of nitrous oxide in the city.

Sign the petition search at Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council.