The death of a man on a notorious level crossing has raised fresh fears over safety.

Steve Watts, 28, of Sheen Road, Richmond, was hit by a train on the North Sheen crossing and died on Thursday, November 1.

Speaking at her home earlier this week, his mother Patricia Watts said she was too upset to talk fully about her son, a keen fisherman and Arsenal fan, but said she was "utterly devastated".

Police are not treating his death as suspicious, but the incident has reignited the fight for a footbridge over the tracks in Manor Road. Campaigners said the issue should now be the most urgent priority for Network Rail.

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, said: "I have been fighting for the footbridge to be put back in for a long time. What happened at the crossing is a total tragedy, so this kind of preventative measure needs to move forward.

"If there is any good to come out of this, it will be that we get a footbridge quicker, but the biggest issue seems to be one of funding.

"Nowhere else is there the same kind of pressure as at North Sheen.

"There are a lot of residents who have to cross the track to get to work and it is used by children too.

"They see trains go by, which they plan to be on, and they take the risk.

"There are issues around level crossings across the constituency, but none are as urgent as this.

"This is in a league of its own and should be a top priority nationwide for Network Rail."

Ward councillor Celia Hodges said: "We had warned Network Rail that this kind of incident would happen."

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We have recently met the MP to discuss her concerns about safety at North Sheen station, and have agreed to look into options to provide additional access across the track."