A bypass has eased traffic congestion but increased the risk of accidents on another stretch of road, a study has revealed.

The A27 Polegate bypass and A22 route to Eastbourne were opened on June 19 last year.

A traffic impact survey, commissioned by East Sussex County Council and the Highways Agency, showed 23,500 vehicles used the bypass in the first week it opened and 22,000 passed along the A22 route.

But traffic increased along the Hailsham bypass, making turning gaps along the road more dangerous and increasing the chance of accidents.

Council officers will now discuss how to solve the problem.

Councillor Tony Reid, lead Cabinet member for transport and environment at the county council, said: "Motorists are benefiting from these new roads and people over a wide area are enjoying reduced traffic on local roads."