Campaigners have scored a victory in a battle against changes being made to a busy road.

Brighton and Hove City Council is to reopen consultation on the scheme to improve safety on London Road, part of the A23 in Brighton.

People living in Withdean Crescent and Varndean Gardens said the recent addition of bus and cycle lanes and the removal of islands for pedestrians made the road a deathtrap.

The council said the changes would slow traffic and make the road safer but residents said they would have the opposite effect.

They were also angry that Withdean Rise had been closed permanently, forcing people to drive through the narrow Tongdean Lane to get to their homes.

More than 300 signatures were collected for a petition complaining accidents were inevitable unless the changes were reconsidered.

The council has now agreed to look at the scheme again and has sent letters outlining proposals for further consultation to residents living near the road.

The decision follows a meeting between senior council officers and Ann and Ken Norman, Conservative councillors for Withdean, who have been lobbying on their constituents' behalf.

Coun Ken Norman said: "We have kept the pressure on throughout and are pleased to report a significant change in thinking about the road closures which have resulted in such a huge amount of opposition.

"We are reassured that the opposition has now been acknowledged."

A council spokeswoman said: "We are responding to the concerns of residents in the area and considering the suggestions they have made to see if further improvements are needed.

"The council will be carrying out full safety checks at the junction of Withdean Rise and London Road and we are writing to residents in the area to keep them informed."

She said officers worked hard to ensure the safety of city roads.

"The council has a fully integrated Local Transport Policy which considers the needs of all road users in the city and includes all major road improvement schemes, such as this one."