Campaigners are calling for safety improvements on a busy stretch of road after an elderly pedestrian was killed.

Nellie Hinkes, 91, died after being involved in a collision as she crossed Dyke Road in Brighton. Now residents of the sheltered housing complex where she lived say urgent action is needed to prevent more accidents on the road between Seven Dials and the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children. They want to see a pedestrian crossing or speed humps installed.

Wendy Turner, manager of Home Lees House in Dyke Road, said residents were horrified by Nellie's death and wanted something done to improve safety for pedestrians using the road.

She added: "Nellie was a very active lady and would go out every day. Everybody here was absolutely floored by her death. She had such a lovely soul and was liked by everybody. We have a bus stop outside and people have to be so careful whenever they cross the road. In the week before Nellie died we had two near misses."

Kath Smith, chairman of the residents' association at Home Lees, said: "It is really getting to the stage when people are almost frightened

to go out because you are taking your life in your hands when you cross the road.

"Dyke Road has got much busier because of the new traffic schemes in London Road and Preston Circus and there is no means of crossing the main road from the Dials to the children's hospital."

Representatives from Home Lees have written to the police, David Lepper MP

and Brighton and Hove Council demanding something is done. The council has agreed to investigate residents' concerns and a highways official will inspect the

accident site.

A council spokes-man said: "We are investigating accidents over the last three years and awaiting further information to decide what exactly to do. One of our staff will be visiting the site on Tuesday and will be happy to talk to local people about their concerns."

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