THE cost of putting in a pedestrian crossing on a busy road have spiralled, with County Hall bosses desperately trying to find more money to make it happen.

Weston Homes gave £130,000 to Essex County Council in 2008 as part of a planning agreement when the building of luxury flats on the former Essex Ford site, in Cherrydown East, Basildon, was granted.

A crossing was meant to be created outside the Morello Quarter development to improve safety for residents making their way towards the town centre, but the project has not got under way because of escalating costs.

Highways bosses now estimate the crossing could actually cost £250,000 because of underground pipework causing problems and despite interest on the cash, bringing in another £7,000, the council has struggled to find the remaining money.

Kerry Smith, an Independent councillor and a member of Basildon’s local highways panel, said the crossing was needed more than ever due to further plans to turn Trafford House, also on Cherrydown East, into flats.

He added: “I don’t understand howpipes can get in the way of a zebra crossing when a huge block of flats has just been built there.

“Late in the evening drivers really put their foot down, and Cherrydown East isn’t particularly safe for pedestrians crossing the road.

“It’s going to be even more of a concern when hundreds of people move into Trafford House.

“The Government has decided it doesn’t matter if there is not enough parking spaces, but surelywe need the crossing if all of these people are going to be encouraged to walk.”

Roger Hirst, county councillor responsible for customer services, libraries, planning and the environment, said: “The target of installing the crossing within three months of the date of first occupation on the site was always unrealistic.

“After feasibility studies and surveys were conducted, it became clear the cost of the crossing would actually be about £250,000 and numerous efforts have been made to secure additional funding, including an unsuccessful application to the Basildon Highways Panel.

“The section 106 agreement in place does not include an expiry date or return clause.

“As such, the funding has been retained and we continue to seek additional funding from potential developers of neighbouring sites.”

Development was finished six months ago

WORK on the Morello Quarter housing development finally finished nearly six months ago.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games winning gymnast Max Whitlock, who trains at South Essex Gym, at Basildon Sporting Village, cut the ribbon officially launching the final phase of the project in August.

The luxury development is made up of 425 one and two bedroom flats.

Last week, the Echo revealed Trafford House, which is opposite Morello Quarter in Cherrydown East, Basildon, will be turned into 384 flats after a change in planning guidelines.

The office block, which was built in 1974, used to be the administrative heart of Ford’s Basildon empire.

More than 800 staff used to work there, but this had whittled down to just 200 when it closed in 2010.

In January 2011, developer Colonade secured planning permission to turn Trafford House into 359 modern flats, shops and restaurants, but the building was put back on the market in October of that year.

It was finally sold in July 2014 to Criterion Capital.

Initial plans for the flats were rejected in August last year because no parking provision was included, but a revised application including 183 parking spaces was then submitted at the end of November.