More than 600 people have signed a petition calling for a footbridge over the treacherous North Circular Road following the death of an 11-year-old boy.

Michael McDonagh, of Linton Close, Neasden, who was known as Richie to his friends and family, was mown down walking across the busy road in December last year.

The Wykeham Primary School pupil had been at his grandmother's wake at a Neasden pub before he was knocked down coming back from McDonald's with his brother and friends.

As the driver who hit him sped off, the schoolboy was run over by a second car on the busy eastbound carriage way and died later in hospital. The driver has never been found.

Since his death Labour councillors Ann John, Colum Moloney and Zaffar Van Kalwala, along with Labour MP for Brent South, Dawn Butler, have launched a petition for a footbridge at the junction of the North Circular Road and Brentfield Road, opposite Ikea.

The campaign has already gained momentum with hundreds of people, including friends and family of Michael, signing the petition.

Mr Moloney said: "How many more deaths must there be before the authorities take action? It is a disaster waiting to happen. At a very minimum we need a pedestrian footbridge or a tunnel running underneath at the junction of the North Circular Road with Brentfield Road.

"Instead of funding unwanted road narrowing schemes in Kingsbury the council and TFL should find the money to improve public safety in North Circular Road."

Labour Group leader, Mrs John, who has represented Stonebridge ward for nearly 20 years, said: "We should not have to wait for another tragic death before providing a footbridge."

Campaigners are continuing to collect signatures which they hope will force Brent Council and Transport for London to take action and prevent further deaths.

n Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8998 5319 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.