A £3.56 million project to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Beddington is now underway.

A new pedestrian and cycle route will be installed the entire length of Beddington Lane, while there will also be a new roundabout, safe pedestrian and cycle crossing.

There will also be road resurfacing and kerb works around the Beddington Lane Tramlink stop.

A £1.86 million investment was provided to Sutton Council by Transport for London (TfL) for the Beddington North TfL Major Scheme, with an additional £1.7 million from the council increasing the budget to £3.56 million.

Councillor Jill Whitehead, the council’s chair of the environment and neighbourhood committee, said: “Thanks to funding awarded from TfL, combined with match funding from Sutton Council, it will enable us to significantly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists while improving the appearance of the area.”

“We have listened closely to what residents and local businesses say. These improvements will help restore and preserve the unique character of the area, while creating a safer environment for everyone living and working there.”

The scheme will also ‘showcase the character’ of the conservation area around Beddington Village as new pedestrian crossings will be introduced and increased management of heavy goods vehicles.

Similar crossings will be installed through Beddington Lane, aiming to make travel safer.

Ben Plowden, TfL’s director of programme and project sponsorship, said: “It’s fantastic to see the work to transform the Beddington North area get underway, which will encourage more walking and cycling, and will help to reduce road danger and improve air quality.”

“Investing in London’s public spaces and local town centres – such as in Sutton – is all part of the Mayor of London’s Healthy Streets Approach to create a city that is more pleasant to live in and move around.”

The first phase began this week (January 22) and is scheduled to finish in 16 weeks.