THE parents of a teenage girl who died after she was hit by a car say a road safety scheme installed at the site of the accident is a fitting tribute.

Work to improve a stretch of the A167, at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was completed in the same week that Sarah Temple would have celebrated her 18th birthday.

The 16-year-old, from Newton Aycliffe, died last June, two days after the accident on the A167 dual carriageway, near the Gretna Green pub.

Her parents, Stephen and Brenda Temple, campaigned for a crossing to prevent another pedestrian losing their life at the same spot.

They presented a 9,000 signature-petition to Prime Minister Tony Blair and worked with the town's county councillors, Bill Blenkinsopp and Terry Hogan.

Although Durham County Council ruled out a crossing because of the speed and volume of the traffic, it has reduced the road to single carriageway on both sides.

The council has also doubled the width of the central reservation.

Mrs Temple said: "Nothing could bring Sarah back but we channelled our energy into improving that road, hoping no-one else would die trying to cross it.

"We were prepared to fight for five or six years but are so pleased it has been done quickly, and are grateful for everyone's support."

She said Sarah would have been 18 on Sunday, November 21 and, with the roadworks finished a day or so before, the timing felt appropriate.

Mrs Temple said: "We now feel that maybe her life was not lost in vain. I cannot face that road, but people who use it have already said it is much better and they feel safer crossing it."

Her husband said: "Sarah was not the first person to die walking across the road but, hopefully, now she will be the last. We fought for that and it will be a fitting tribute if lives are saved because of the roadworks."

Coun Blenkinsopp and Coun Hogan feel the scheme is slowing the traffic and improving safety for pedestrians crossing.

Coun Hogan said: "Sarah's death was a tragedy. Fortunately, Durham County Council took it, and what local people were saying, on board and did the work quickly."

Coun Blenkinsopp, said: "Mr and Mrs Temple have been incredibly brave and their efforts have clearly helped improve the road for all its users."