Work to close the large gap at Norbiton station will not take place for three years – despite another commuter falling between the train and the platform.

South West Trains has been told to cut the distance between carriages and the platform edge at the Coombe Road station, after a man fell beneath the train he was stepping off last Thursday.

Although he was not injured, commuters said the accident highlighted a serious problem.

A Norbiton resident described a similar experience falling down the gap in June.

John Lynch, 52, slipped as he was stepping on to a train towards London Waterloo.

He said: “It had been raining so the platform was soaking wet.

"I put my foot on the top of the step and slipped straight off. I fell so sharply I couldn’t stop myself, and landed on my elbows between the train and the platform.”

Mr Lynch received injuries to his legs, back and arms, and is still having treatment.

He said: “If it had been somebody less able than myself they could have been in serious trouble. In terms of what South West Trains can do I think it would take some major re-engineering.”

A spokeswoman said gaps were common at other stations but warning announcements were made.

She said: “We do have plans to improve Norbiton station and look at reducing the size of the gap from the platform edge and this work is likely to take place during 2015.”

Norbiton councillor David Ryder-Mills said: “It’s not the first time this has happened and the fact someone else has slipped down the gap draws it back into the public conscious.

"We think it is an immense problem, especially as it’s the station advertised as closest to Kingston Hospital.”

Kingston Hospital chief executive Kate Grimes said: “The distance between the train and platform is concerning as it creates problems for people who may be elderly or immobile and are trying to get to the hospital by train.

“I support any campaign that would see this gap reduced.”

A South West Trains spokeswoman said it could not say how many people had fallen down the gap.