The plans for a footbridge in White Hart Lane could be in jeopardy.

Network Rail had agreed to partially fund a steel and concrete footbridge at the crossing, which it identified as "high risk".

The previous Richmond Council Conservative cabinet had been "very close" to finalising a deal, but they lost their majority to the Liberal Democrats in the election on May 5.

A deal has to be agreed by the end of May because Network Rail is time-bound by its five-year control period funding.

Paul Avon, Conservative Councillor for Mortlake and Barnes Common had been campaigning on the project for years.

He said: “It really is now or never for the footbridge. We very close to finalising the deal. All this hard work could be for nothing.

"I do want to stress that the new Lib Dem administration has been receptive in giving the footbridge serious consideration, for which I am grateful."

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, soon to be confirmed as cabinet member for transport, is visiting the crossing today (May 17) at 4.30pm.

He said: "We've inherited a very difficult position. The Conservative administration didn't set aside any money at all for this scheme.

"I'm doing what I can with colleagues in the current administration. As long as residents confirm it's still a priority, that's what we will try to do."

Cllr Avon added: "Before the election, money had been identified and set aside - the Conservative administration were prepared to guarantee it."

The footbridge would cost around £1.7million, plus contingency money; Network Rail agreed to fund £832,000 of this.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We’re committed to building a new footbridge over the railway at White Hart Lane in Barnes for the benefit of the local community.

“Discussions are ongoing with Richmond Borough Council to deliver this by April next year which is the end of our current funding period.”

The planning proposal online has received overwhelming support from Mortlake residents - 270 are in favour compared to just 10 who object.

Mark Hartley, head teacher at Barnes Primary School said: "Staff, governors, parents and children at this school have longstanding concerns about the possibility of a very serious accident or fatality taking place at this site.

"In my role of head teacher I have received a significant number of correspondence in writing from parents, at least three of which relate to incidents that could be categorised as 'near misses'."

Topaz Amoore, of Terrace Gardens, also supported the proposal. She said: "The area is lethal for pedestrians and the gates are down so often it’s seriously disruptive."

One of the few against it, Jan Penny, of Railway Side, said in the planning application: "I do not want to look out from the front of my house onto a charmless steel structure."