HUNDREDS of people are demanding a “dangerous” planter be removed from a high street.

Residents want the Rottingdean High Street planter, which was installed in the middle of the road, taken out after a “disastrous accident” earlier this month.

In the accident, a car smashed through a shop window opposite the large planter.

In response, a petition signed by more than 300 people who are concerned about safety, is being handed to Brighton and Hove City Council.

Shop owner Elif Kose, who runs a shop of the same name in the street, started the petition.

The 33-year-old said: “I started the petition because the planter started causing problems on the road, both for pollution and traffic - it’s getting really dangerous.

“We have only had one major accident but three times while I was crossing the road before the planter, cars have had to emergency stop to not kill me.

“I, as a business owner and trader, would like it removed and then the road left to the council to see what needs to be done.

“They need to put speed cameras on our high street.

“There are a lot of young people. This needs to be done sooner rather than later otherwise someone will die.”

Anger erupted after the large wooden planter was installed in the middle of the road overnight.

Council workers put the box in the street on a Saturday evening in October.

But residents quickly branded it “ridiculous” and “an absolute joke”.

At the time there were reports that drivers had been trying to pull over, believing the road to be closed.

And on January 11 a car hit a shop opposite the planter. The circumstances of that crash are not clear but residents and traders are blaming the planter.

The petition reads: “I believe the removal of this planter will prevent any dangerous accidents. Only recently having experienced a disastrous accident luckily with no one hurt I strongly believe we will stop further or worse accidents like this. We have pedestrians walk on that side with their small children and pets.

“The pavement on the right-hand side of the planter going northbound, where the accident happened and crashed into a window of a shop, is already very narrow.

“Having the planter there has not improved the traffic situation and also added a problem.”

The council said it does not comment on ongoing petitions. This petition will finish on March 16.

Councillors will respond to it after the deadline has passed.