A £300,000 regeneration scheme to improve a neighbourhood in the Furzedown area of Tooting will start in October.

The project aims to boost shops and businesses in the shopping area around the junction of Mitcham Lane and Thrale Road.

A date of October 2 has been set for the works to begin after the proposal was put forward by local Labour councillors three years ago.

This will include removing ‘unnecessary’ street furniture and laying new pavements, as well as a new granite wall with the word ‘Furzedown’ engraved and illuminated with architectural lighting.

In addition, this will allow a large Christmas tree to be installed each festive season, ‘making it a more focal part of the community’.

Changes will also include additional parking provision for cyclists and more short stay parking bays to improve the experience for local shoppers and passing customers.

This also aims to help local business who will have extra parking bays for unloading their goods and products.

Footpaths will also be increased to provide pedestrians with more room and CCTV cameras will be upgraded to help deter crime and anti-social behaviour.

Enhanced carriageway drainages will prevent puddles forming and more serious flooding incidents in the area.

Some speed bumps around Mitcham Lane and Thrale Road will be removed while more street trees will be planted to ensure a ‘greener neighbourhood’.

The council says that a consultation put forward last year received an ‘overwhelming green light’ from residents and local businesses.

Furzedown councillor Candida Jones said: "Furzedown's Labour councillors have been pushing the council to tackle the problems of flytipping, traffic, dilapidated shop fronts, crime and anti-social behaviour and broken pavements on this stretch of Mitcham Lane for several years.

"We are delighted that our work has finally paid off and long overdue improvements will soon begin. Local businesses and residents have been behind our proposals from the start.

"Last year we held a special Christmas party to mark a new beginning for Mitcham Lane, involving local businesses and schools.

"This year, I am pleased to say, the party will be bigger and better as Furzedown celebrates the installation of its first Christmas tree and a new beginning for Mitcham Lane."

Councillor Jonathan Cook, community services spokesman, said: “Residents and businesses in this part of Furzedown asked us to look at ways of improving the area, and I’m delighted that we are now just days away from delivering that goal.

“We listened very carefully to what residents and businesses told us and they helped us come up with a comprehensive package of measures to benefit and improve the area.

“These changes will make this part of Furzedown much more attractive and safer for local people. I am delighted this project is now getting underway.”