AN MP insists work is being done to get the A120 upgraded after a teenager was killed in a fatal crash.

The fatality was the fourth death in the past five years on the stretch of road between Braintree and Marks Tey.

The latest victim was a 19-year-old boy who died after a white Mercedes and a white Peugeot collided on the Coggeshall bypass.

Two other people were seriously injured in the crash.

It has led to renewed calls for the A120 to be upgraded and Witham MP Priti Patel, who has long campaigned for improvements, insists work is taking place to see what can be done to make the road safer.

The Home Secretary said: "I am very saddened to hear of this tragic incident and my thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of the young man who lost his life.

"This single carriageway stretch of road between Braintree and Marks Tey is one of the most dangerous in England and all too often there are serious accidents and tragedies.

"I have been campaigning for the last decade for the road to be dualled and made safer. Progress is being made.

"I secured funding from the Government to fund a feasibility study which Essex County Council undertook and this has led to a favoured new route proposal being announced.

"The Government is looking at including this in a future funding scheme and I am working to get this done.

“This tragedy is a very sad reminder of how important it is for the A120 to be dualled.”

Essex County Council's preferred option would be to build a new dualled A120 which would link Galleys Corner at Braintree with junction 23 of the A12 at Kelvedon.

The Government and Highways England have yet to give their backing to the proposals.

Back in March, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced funding to develop and progress plans for a new A120 in his budget.

However, money for actual construction of the road is not expected to be made available until at least 2025.

Police are appealing for information about the latest fatal collision, which happened around 2.40pm on Sunday, August 2.

Call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.