A PEDESTRIAN underpass on the A316 is to be replaced with a surface crossing, after years of safety concerns.
But the area's MP is worried about where the new crossing will be placed, saying it could be unsafe and put people at risk from fast-moving traffic.
Representatives from Transport for London (TfL) met local residents, councillors and Twickenham MP Vince Cable to visit the subway last week.
The petty crime and anti-social behaviour hotspot at Twickenham was also the scene of a knifepoint rape two years ago.
Since then, neighbours have been campaigning for an alternative way to cross the busy dual carriageway between Jubilee Avenue and Meadway.
Dr Cable was disappointed with the site for the proposed crossing. He said it would be 'particularly unsafe, hidden from fast-moving west-bound traffic and too far from the Dene Estate, which currently has no easily accessible crossing point'.
He added: "TfL also want to close the tunnel, but I see no reason why the option should not remain for those who are comfortable with it," he said.
"The engineer seemed to be very inflexible, but he must listen to safety concerns. I am rather disappointed, since it has taken years of pressure to get to the point where London government would do anything and, now we are there, there is a risk of an arrangement even less safe than the one we had.
"The issue is that the underpass is dangerous and threatening. But, unless the new crossing is carefully sited, there will be a risk to pedestrians who will not be visible to vehicles approaching very fast over the brow of a hill.
"I don't want one danger to be replaced by another. We must get this right, for the sake of the thousands of residents who need to cross to use Whitton station and to get to school and the High Street."
A TfL spokesman said: "Following a number of safety concerns about the existing underpass, TfL is looking to install an improved crossing to replace it.
"We have consulted the local community on the positioning for this new crossing and we are taking their feedback into consideration to determine the best location.
"The crossing will provide a street-level link for pedestrians and cyclists between the Meadway and Jubilee Avenue and not increase journey times for those who previously used the underpass.
"Work on the crossing is due to begin in early summer."
