Transport improvements linked to Albion's proposed Falmer stadium could spark a rush of new businesses to the area.

The South East England Development Agency has agreed to invest more than £5 million in new roads and paths around the stadium which will open up acres of land for development.

Chairman of Seeda James Brathwaite and councillors said yesterday the project would provide jobs and reinvigorate the area's economy.

A single track road currently runs past the Wollards Field and Southern Water sites, limiting development.

But a £170,000 investment plan will widen the road from the new A27/A270 junction to the tunnel under the railway to the Falmer School site.

This would allow Wollards Field to be used for East Sussex County Council's archive centre and the Souther Water site for offices.

Mr Brathwaite said: "The history of Falmer goes even further back than the Brighton Centre.

"We have been looking at it and waiting for the planning machinations to go through - I have not been very happy with some of Brighton's neighbours as it has been a waste of public money in my view.

"We were investing in East Brighton which is one of the poorest areas of the country.

"We can create something alongside them which will give you maybe 500 to 1,000 jobs and training - that is what we are trying to do.

"We are helping Brighton and Hove City Council to reorganise transport, which will help the university and land development for new jobs not just relating the stadium.

"Brighton deserves it. Football is a very big business in terms of bringing visitors into the town - it should be good."

Councillor Pat Hawkes, who represents Hollingbury and Stanmer, said that a new footpath along the south side of the railway line will also open up the Moulsecoomb Estate to the stadium and Falmer station.

She said: "In terms of north Brighton regeneration it will have all sorts of positive knock on effects.

"The footpath along to the station will allow a lot of people to get to the station in the future while it is very hard to get there currently.

"I think the improvements at the stadium and the potential at Souther Water could do some real good for the area."

The future of the proposed 22,000 seat arena will be revealed next Wednesday.

Supporters hope this represents the final hurdle after ten years without a permanent home and almost two years since John Prescott approved the stadium only for the decision to be dropped.

On Thursday, a group of Labour MPs from Brighton and Hove delivered a letter to communities secretary Hazel Blears urging her to grant permission for the stadium.

D-day for Falmer is almost here. We want your reactions to the decision as soon as it happens. The Argus team want to include your views in the paper and on our website. We will have reaction from all the key figures involved. We will have live pictures and comment as well as pages of expert analysis, club history and team news. The decision will be one of the biggest stories of the year and we want you, the supporters, to be part of it. Send us your comments and pictures, win or lose. Be part of the story when it happens - at www.theargus.co.uk