The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has today announced more than £4.7m for transport improvements in Havering.

The funding has been allocated by Transport for London (TfL) through the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) process and is awarded to the borough to spend on projects that support the Mayor's Transport Strategy, including safer roads, smoothing traffic flow, rejuvenating town centres and better facilities for cycling and walking.

The £4.7m funding package in 2012/13 will finance a range of transport projects in Havering, including:

  • £300,000 for public realm enhancements in Romford. Works will be concentrated in the central part of Romford town centre and will include the removal of street clutter, resurfacing pavements and planting new trees as part of the Romford Public Realm Master Plan to improve accessibility and get more people walking and cycling in safe and secure surroundings. These works will compliment the various other LIP-funded schemes that have been and are being implemented including the Romford Station Access project which is now complete
  • £100,000 to improve access to the Learning Village. Works will include replacing street lighting and resurfacing foot and cycle paths
  • £100,000 for environmental upgrades to the Briar Road Estate. The funding will also be used to increase signage to the estate and tackle anti-social behaviour as part of the wider regeneration of the estate. Works will include resurfacing carriageways and footways, enhancing parking arrangements and signage to the estate, closing alleyways, planting new trees and improving foot and cycle paths

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: 'London is undergoing a neo-Victorian level of investment in its transport network. 

'Every London borough is receiving money that will directly benefit communities, making London an even better place to live and work. 

'We've also cut bureaucracy to make it easier for the boroughs to decide how they want to spend their funding.'

The LIP funds hundreds of large- and small-scale transport projects every year. 

Last year in Havering it financed cycle training for 3,000 children and 200 adults, 80 road safety education and training events, 11 improved pedestrian crossings, 12 new accessible bus stops and enabled 54 schools to participate in walking events.

London's Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy said: 'Year on year the boroughs continue to deliver innovative projects that support the Mayor's vision for transport in the Capital. 

'This investment will build on the excellent work that has already been achieved and complement the huge programme of work we at TfL are undertaking to make his vision a reality through working in partnership with the boroughs.'

The funding was previously forecast to reduce year on year to reflect the reduced general grant TfL receives from the Department for Transport. 

However, because of the importance of the boroughs in delivering the priorities of Mayor's Transport Strategy, the funding has been kept at a consistent level to 2013/14.

Notes to editors:

  • Each borough produces a LIP to demonstrate how they plan to implement the Mayor's Transport Strategy locally. While TfL allocates funding for individual schemes, the LIP and delivery of individual projects is the responsibility of each borough
  • A detailed breakdown of funding for bridge strengthening projects (£5.3m), which will be allocated to the bridges in most need of work will be announced in the New Year
  •  Total allocation by programme area:

 Programme  Allocation across London (£m)
 Principal road maintenance  495
 Local transport funding  100
 Corridors, neighbourhoods and supporting measures  2,483
 Major schemes  1,705
 Total  4,783