Harrow Council has been successful in a bid for £7,448,583, which will be used to fund the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking Harrow View East housing development and Wealdstone town centre.
The bid follows a wide-ranging consultation that has been taking place over a number of years where the Council has been listening to the priorities of the local community.
As well as the bridge the funds will enable the delivery of associated public realm improvements and “Smart City” infrastructure as part of the Intelligent High Street initiative.
The Regeneration of Wealdstone and the town centre is a priority for Harrow Council and is designated as an Opportunity Area in the London Plan, identifying it as an area for significant housing and employment growth.
The proposal for a new fully accessible footbridge from the Harrow View East site over the West Coast Mainline will provide better connectivity across the railway line and complete a key strategic pedestrian route from Headstone Manor Park in the west, through the Kodak development, Wealdstone Town Centre and onto Byron Park in the east.
It will also better integrate the new housing with the rest of Wealdstone and to primary and secondary schools to the northeast side of the railway line, creating a short and direct route.
The funding is part of an £830m national scheme to rejuvenate communities and improve local environments.
Cllr Varsha Parmar, Environment Portfolio Holder, said: “This is fantastic news for Wealdstone and for the Borough as a whole. It will help with greater connectivity between key parts of the area and improve and rejuvenate Wealdstone high street.
“The bridge and associated works highlight Harrow Council’s commitment to listening and acting on the priorities of our residents and will improve the quality of life for residents and give a boost to local businesses.
“The regeneration of Wealdstone is one of our key priorities and this successful bid will go a long way to ensuring that we achieve that.”
Source: Harrow Council
