A GAP in a fence tragically used by an eight-year-old boy to cross a busy road will finally be sealed up.

Stephen Blagg died after he was hit by a car as he ran across the A19 – which has a 70mph speed limit – to catch up with his friends.

Now Middlesbrough Borough Council has said the fence will be mended to try to deter others from using the deadly shortcut.

The group of children were crossing the road between Teesside Retail Park and Whinney Banks, in Middlesbrough, on October 28, last year, when Stephen was struck by a BMW car at about 7.30pm.

The youngsters were just 132 metres away from a footbridge, which would have allowed them to cross safely. Instead, they chose to cut through the gap in a vandalised fence.

During last month’s inquest into Stephen’s death, Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield said he would write to the council to raise his concerns over the fence.

Yesterday, a council spokesman told The Northern Echo that repairs would be carried out as quickly as possible.

Chief executive Ian Parker said: “We do not routinely fence off our main roads to prevent pedestrian access, but we will always look to ensure roads can be crossed as safely as possible.

“There are crash barriers along each side of the A19 and on the central reservation, which make a strong statement that this is not a pedestrian crossing point.

“However, we acknowledge the coroner’s recommendation that we look at the fencing on the eastern side.

“One possibility currently being explored is to install a fence on the 50m stretch of road between the end of the footbridge ramp and the established roadside shrubbery to strengthen the statement that pedestrians should use the nearby footbridge.

“We are also pleased that the Highways Agency is keen to explore ways of improving safety on its network through Middlesbrough.”

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “Along the stretch of the A19 in question, the agency has a pedestrian guard rail in place which is designed to encourage pedestrians to use the footbridge.

“We would urge the community to help us to educate and encourage young people to use the footbridge.”