Work to install a pedestrian path along a busy Sittingbourne road is not due to start until next year.

A petition started by teenager Laurence Marshall to create a walkway in Highsted Road received more than 100 signatures.

He instigated it after experiencing a “few close calls” while walking to and from Borden Grammar School.

Kent County Council (KCC) confirmed it had completed initial design investigations and said “we should be in a position to commence construction at the beginning of the 2015/16 financial year”.

Cllr Mike Whiting, chairman of Swale council’s Joint Transportation Board, and a keen supporter of the scheme, said: “I’m disappointed that it will be another year before construction work starts on this much-needed safety project.”

There is pavement for a long stretch of Highsted Road, but pedestrians heading towards Rodmersham are forced to walk on the road past the junction of Farm Crescent.

In explaining why he started the campaign, Mr Marshall, 19, who lives in Snowdrop Walk, Sittingbourne, said the road was dangerous and feared someone could die unless action was taken by the authorities.

KCC said it needed to deal with “very complex” issues regarding the land, some of which is owned by a third party, before work on the path’s installation could start.

A spokesman said: “Subject to the outcome of these legal investigations, we will initiate the land transfer and acquisition phase.

Cllr Whiting said the scheme’s completion was destined never to run smoothly.

He said: “I’ve been involved in this for years and once the funding had been agreed, it was always likely that land ownership issues would add to the delays. However, it’s encouraging to see a timetable for the work and I hope it will get completed on time.”