Road campaigners are asking the Government to look again at improvements for a notorious stretch of the A27.

Firle Straight was the scene of a horrendous accident two weeks ago when a taxi driver was killed in a multi-vehicle pile up.

Now, members of Firle Parish Council are begging Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, to take another look at the road improvement plans he rejected earlier this month.

Councillor Ray Gravett, chairman of the parish council, said: "We are determined something must be done to stop what is considered to be irresponsible drivers from causing mayhem on a stretch of road that only requires common sense motoring.

"We think the only way to reduce accidents here is for the following measures to be put into place: A speed limit of 50mph to be instituted, together with cameras to enforce this limit and solid white lines to stop overtaking, which is the commonest way in which accidents happen on the Firle Straight."

Mr Darling backed the idea of modifying the road between Lewes and Beddingham but insisted the scheme be revised.

He said a bridge would appear to be the best way forward and he ruled out the idea of a dual carriageway, something members of Firle Parish Council believe is a vital tool to relieve bottlenecking of the road.

Councillors are calling for the land adjacent to the straight to be developed to help traffic flow.

Coun Gravett said: "It is frustrating that land on the south side of this stretch of road, when it was straightened several years ago, was purchased to enable a dual carriageway to be built at a later date.

"This could be done in conjunction with the proposed Beddingham road improvements and probably help with traffic flow."