A HARD-FOUGHT campaign for a new zebra crossing has finally come to fruition - three-and--a-half years after a woman was killed there.

It has been installed on Mitchells Avenue, Canvey.

It follows the tragic death of Greta Mara in February 2014, after which a campaign and petition were launched to improve safety in the road.

Ray Howard, a Conservative councillor for Canvey Island West ward, was one of the lead councillors. along with Dave Blackwell.

A petition, signed by more than 200 residents, was soon presented to Castle Point Local Highways Panel who passed it on to Essex County Council in 2014.

Mr Howard is glad the campaign has been successful - and is finally over.

He said: “It was a very long battle.

“I want to thank all residents, councillors and the committee who gave all the support they did.

“It’s never easy to get something that doesn’t stack up to the criteria of the Department of Transport.

“But we got there in the end!”

The fight to get funds released by county council was won earlier this year.

A total of £45,000 was pledged towards the project.

A delighted Mr Howard added: “My committee and I felt it was necessary to have a crossing so we fought very hard for it.”

A spokesperson for Essex Highways at Essex County Council was also pleased about the outcome. He said: “This is a very important safety improvement for the many people who walk in this area of Canvey.

“The councillors made strong representations on the issue and the panel is there to respond effectively to local concerns with just this sort of vital local road safety measures.”