A WOMAN’S death has sparked calls for improved safety at a section of Kent railway.

The body of 85-year-old Jean Judson, of Main Road, Longfield Hill, near Dartford, was discovered on the tracks near Longfield station at around 7am on Wednesday, February 13.

British Transport Police are not treating her death as suspicious but friend Barbara Morris, who lives in the same road, has called for improved safety measures along the section of railway, which is at the bottom of a steep embankment behind her back garden and neighbouring homes.

She said: “I’ve lived here for many years and originally there was just a flimsy wire fence.

“But that was changed when my son was four. He’s now 41 and my section of fence has never been replaced. My garden is exposed to the railway and the fence is not very high.”

The fencing varies between 5ft and 6ft, and runs along the top of the embankment on both sides of the railway – with the track 60ft below.

Mrs Morris, 70, revealed that the vegetation which used to line the top of the embankment had recently been cleared.

She said: “All the trees and shrubs have gone. Not only has all the wildlife gone, but so has the natural protection from the railway.

“Kids can now easily climb over the fences and walk along the top of the embankment. But if they slip there is a sheer drop onto the railway.

“It also looks terrible and there’s rubbish which has been dropped along the embankment. It’s disgusting.”

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “The vegetation was recently cut back from the embankment as part of our ongoing process to maintain such environments and ensure the safe operation of the railway.

“We have now also made some repairs to the existing fencing, and the next stage of our work will involve the complete replacement of the fencing at the top of the embankment. We are looking at dates to do this.”

The type of fencing has not been decided, but Network Rail said it would be taking into account the local environment in terms of appearance.

An inquest in Mrs Judson’s death was opened and adjourned on February 15, and a post mortem revealed she died of multiple injuries.