RESIDENTS and an MP have called for greater security around high bridges after the tragic death of a woman on the M27.

The body of Lucy Davis - also known as Lucy Page - was found on the westbound carriageway of the M27 earlier this month.

Lucy, 32 from Fareham, was found in the middle lane near the Down End Road Bridge close to junction 11 and was declared dead at the scene.

Now questions about what could have been done to prevent her death are being raised.

Fareham MP Suella Fernandes said: “This is a tragic incident, and my heart goes out to the family of the victim.

“Clearly the circumstances will need to be investigated fully, and if there are extra measures that could be put in place that would of course be the right thing to do.

“I will be in touch with the emergency services to ask if there is anything of that sort that they feel would help avert future such tragedies, and would support any such measures.”

Residents who live near Down End Road Bridge have said that more could be done to increase the safety of the bridge that goes over the M27.

Jannet Bennett, 72, retired, said: “If you wanted to get over the barriers now you could. I could get over them if I wanted to and I am not very tall, and that may be something they should look into.

“The railway bridge near us has much higher barriers and I think it would be a good idea to make the barriers on the bridge taller - it would be safer.”

A spokesman for Highways England said decisions on introducing measures were taken after discussions with other authorities, such as the police, or if a coroner were to make recommendations.

He added: “There are a number of measures, anything from telephone helpline numbers being posted on various parts of the network to physical barriers which can and have been used to try and reduce the number of opportunities.”

When asked if he would support measures, Hampshire transport chief and Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward said “Let’s wait for the police investigation and find the circumstances behind it.”

He added that it would be hard to introduce measures such as fences on all bridges, due to the “sheer volume of bridges”, adding: “This is appalling news for the family and for the onlookers who were caught up in it.”