A NEW link road from the A259 would lead to more congestion and bottlenecks, councillors have told campaigners.

Transport committee chairwoman Gill Mitchell and Green councillor Louisa Greenbaum both raised concerns the road would require more homes to receive Government funding. Both said increased use of buses was the answer to traffic issues.

A petition of more than 5,400 signatures submitted by the St Aubyns Fields Evergreen has called on the council to work with neighbouring authorities for traffic and economic impact studies into A259 congestion between Newhaven and Brighton Marina.

Campaigners Lynne Moss and Nigel Smith said previous studies had failed to truly measure the “unacceptable” level of congestion.

The group wants the councils to identify new road infrastructure improvements and a schedule for works. Protesters said the situation get worse with new developments.