THE mother of a teenager killed crossing a busy road believes some good may come of the tragedy when safety improvements are implemented.

Brandon Nugent, 13, of Gilesgate, Durham City, died in March when he was struck by a car while on an old right of way across the A690 near the city’s Gilesgate roundabout.

His mother, Madeline Walker originally wanted the crossing closed, but she has now backed Durham County Council’s highways committee’s decision to keep the route open with safety improvements because the closure procedure could take too long.

Councillors heard yesterday that moves to shut the crossing would lead to an inquiry and the final decision would be taken by the Secretary of State.

Mrs Walker was praised by councillors for her bravery in attending the meeting and taking part in the consultation.

She told councillors she wanted some good to come from her loss and would rather that the crossing was made safer than wait for a closure decision that may never come.

Highways chief Dave Wafer said the procedure could take years to complete as a public inquiry would have to be held and the outcome would have been uncertain as a majority of consultees wanted the crossing to be retained.

Mr Wafer said measures such as a new footbridge costing £700,000 were too expensive.

But improvements to make the crossing safer, such as better signs, were approved as a priority.

The council will also look at installing lighting, after hearing that local councillors Dennis Southwell and Les Thomson would contribute from their neighbourhood budgets, and consider whether a 50mph speed limit could be be introduced Mrs Walker said she did not bear any malice to the driver involved in the collision, but she wanted to make sure no other family suffered.

Afterwards she said: “I am happy. I feel confident that action will be taken by the council as soon as possible “They have also said that if lighting is an option then there is an allowance available to do it.

“Personally I would have liked the crossing closed because we have suffered a terrible tragedy.

“But I understand that residents want to use it and if it is going to be used it should be made safer.

“It would have been easy to just sit at home but I feel that by doing this I have achieved something.’’