Conservative party parliamentary candidate Mary Macleod - current MP - has slammed Labour rival Ruth Cadbury for failing to continue to support the much-needed Chiswick Park footbridge.
The criticism from the MP for Brentford & Isleworth comes after her rival voted against the proposal to allocate funding towards the construction and maintenance of the footbridge in her position as councillor.
However, Ms Cadbury has previously backed the promised footbridge linking Chiswick Business Park to Chiswick Park tube station to help ease congestion at Gunnersbury station.
The call for a bridge to be built was instigated by people living in Chiswick and made up part of an agreement with the business park in which two new office spaces were allowed to be developed on the condition of building the pedestrian crossing to relieve pressure on the overcrowded Gunnersbury station.
In recent weeks, negotiations over the construction of the bridge were reignited as a result of a push from the Gunnersbury Station Action Team, chaired by Ms Macleod.
At the meeting, Hounslow Council agreed to allow business park owners Blackstone, to pay an annual fee for the maintenance of the bridge rather than a lump sum payment up front.
Ms Macleod said: “I am delighted to hear that at long last the local authority has been able to come to an agreement with the owners of Chiswick Park.
"More progress has been made in the last few months over the footbridge than in the last decade.
"Although Gunnersbury Station itself needs a serious overhaul, the bridge is vital step towards ensuring Chiswick residents are serviced by the safe and efficient transport links that they deserve.
"My opponent’s attempts to deny this project funding shows a clear lack of understanding of the needs of local people.”
Ms Cadbury said: "Mary has misrepresented my position. I have long been a supporter of the Chiswick Park Station Bridge.
"Gunnersbury Station is increasingly overcrowded. Completion of the new bridge to Chiswick Park station is a necessity and will provide short-term relief.
"I had written to the leaders of Hounslow and Ealing Councils to remove any obstacles to this happening - and I am pleased an agreement has been reached.
"A long-term solution to the Gunnersbury Station overcrowding should incorporate a new platform on the east side of the station. Any future development of the site must include this.
"The new footbridge is fully funded by the Chiswick Park development, so for Mary and the conservative councillors to propose spending taxpayers money is irresponsible and shows a remarkable lack of understanding of the way infrastructure improvements happen."
