Two accidents on a borough level crossing in just one week have led residents to demand greater safety measures.

Campaigners have long been calling for action at the dangerous' White Hart Lane level crossing in Barnes, saying the threat of getting trapped behind the barriers causes drivers to speed up, or make risky manoevures.

Now the protests have got louder - on Monday, November 12, a van sped under the descending barriers in an attempt to get across, but smashed into it, causing it to fall and hit a mum with a pushchair.

The following Friday, a car tried to jump the traffic and turn into South Worple Way, but hit another car on the corner.

Amani Orr-Ewing, mum-of-three at nearby Barnes Primary, used to take her life into her hands every day negotiating the crossing.

She said: "I have stopped using it now and go over the footbridge further down instead.

"The real problem here is controlling the traffic and the driving practices that go on.

"Drivers start speeding to get through the barriers before they come down.

"If they do get trapped behind them, they try to turn down South Worple Way and there's not enough room for two cars to pass by so they have to mount the pavements, which is very dangerous.

"People just focus on the level crossing and put their foot down - it's chaos."

A spokesman for Network Rail, which is responsible for maintaining the crossing, said the damaged barrier was replaced the same day.

He added: "We work hard with organisations such as the police to make sure drivers are aware of the correct way to use level crossings."

A spokesman for Richmond Council said the situation at the crossing would be reviewed in light of the recent accidents.

"Over recent years the council has taken various steps to reduce traffic speed in the vicinity of the crossing and improve facilities for pedestrians.

"We have also sought funding for a footbridge feasibility study from TfL but without success.

"We have previously investigated the possibility of making South Worple Way one-way towards White Hart Lane. However, this idea was not pursued because of the local access difficulties it created. "