RESIDENTS are calling for a roundabout at a busy junction after a man was killed there.

Pedestrian Harold Mickleson, 86, of Cheltenham Drive, Leigh, died after being involved in a collision with a van while crossing Station Road, Leigh, last month.

Many people living near the junction of Station Road and Elm Road now feel something must be done. Resident Rob Kingsbury, 59, of Station Road, was among those who organised a meeting with councillors to discuss ways to make it safer.

He said: "Thankfully there have been no problems at the junction since the tragedy. But it is a shame it took a death before someone will do something about it. We had a meeting with councillors and it was agreed that something should be done, but what I don't know.

"Most of the neighbours agree a roundabout would allow the flow of traffic in all directions. But I think it will be a long time before anything happens."

Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for transport, said there was funding in this year's budget for road improvements. Mrs Waite said an engineer was drawing up plans for possible road improvements, but she said a roundabout would be unlikely.

She said: "There might be too many exits in the area for a mini roundabout. We are looking at making it easer to cross at the junction, and making it clear to drivers coming down the road that a junction is there."

Southend Council is also looking at installing a pedestrian crossing in Broadway West, outside the library, in an effort to make it easier to cross safely near the spot where Sheri Lawrence, 20, was killed last year.

Mrs Waite added: "There is some funding available this year, providing we keep our feet on the ground."