PLANS for a footbridge across a busy dual carriageway where a teenager died are still being considered, a council boss has revealed.

Joseph Sheridan, 13, of Crays Hill, Billericay, was killed after being hit by a car while attempting to cross the A127 in February.

An inquest into his death on Tuesday heard that the driver had little chance of avoiding the collision.

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council, said: “I would like to echo the sympathies expressed by the coroner to the family of Joseph Sheridan following this tragic accident.

“A detailed review of this route was immediately carried out by officers in February this year.

“We are now working to explore further safety options on this stretch of road.”

The authority is also currently working with the police, the local community and Crays Hill Primary School to put up warning signs for pedestrians.

A petition was set up by Michael Coates after Joseph’s death, calling for a footbridge to be installed.

The petition attracted more than 500 signatures, but Mr Coates has not yet received a response from the council.

Mr Coates said: “They need to do something sooner rather than later before there is another fatality.”

The council told the Echo it has not ruled out a footbridge, but is still exploring all options.

Joseph is not the first person to have died attempting to cross the road.

In March 2003, Leearna Briggs, 16, who was six months pregnant, and Shara Stone, 27, both from Pitsea, were struck by a Land Rover.

Traveller Billy Burton, 35, from Benfleet, died in 2009 while trying to cross the A127.

That crash came just weeks after a 60-year-old man was left with serious injuries while trying to cross with his dog at the same spot.

After the double death in March 2003, a petition calling for a footbridge to be built was also set up.

Instead, warning signs stating ‘Do Not Cross Fatal Accident Site’ were put up.