A ROAD partition which was removed just months before a couple were killed was scrapped in favour of trees, the Echo can reveal.

In response to a letter expressing concerns about the lack of safety barrier separating the carriageways in Nethermayne, county council highways boos Rodney Bass said it was done to avoid having to cut down trees.

Either the greenery or the partition had to go to make way for road widening, part of a huge project to reduce congestion on the busy stretch of road.

Mr Bass said: “Replacing this barrier would reduce the carriageway and lane widths below the required standard and we were not able to take land from the western side of the road due to the presence of utility company assets in this location.

“In taking this decision, our highways team were also mindful in not wanting to significantly impact the trees and open space on the eastern side, which provides a noise buffer between this strategic route and local housing.”

Carli Scott, 30, and Dean Evans, 35, of Long Lynderswood, Basildon, after being struck by a car under the railway bridge as the crossed the carriageway.

In the aftermath of the fatal crash, residents complained about the dual carriageway being unsafe.

An Echo investigation showed people using the traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing outside the BP petrol station had just five seconds to cross four lanes.

It also emerged highways officers were asked to install extra safety measures, including a central island and noise warnings, nine months earlier.

Andrew Gordon, 23, Labour councillor for Leigh Chapel North, contacted Mr Bass with his concerns.

He said the response was proof Basildon was being “ignored” by Essex County Council.

He said: “I think it’s just excuses because they don’t want to put the barrier back and don’t want to spend money on traffic calming measures.

“There needs to be an obstruction in the road to stop people making illegal u turns because I fear it’s only a matter of time before there will be another death.”

As part of the £3.4million Nethermayne project an extra lane was created for cars travelling between the hospital roundabout and the junction with Ashdon Way, and two lanes were created in both directions under the railway bridge up to the junction with the Roundacre roundabout.