A CASH BOOST from the Mayor of London will go towards improving road safety and sprucing up town centres across the borough.

Boris Johnson has earmarked more than £4.6million for transport improvements in the next financial year.

The money includes:

£966,000 for a Yiewsley and West Drayton town centre scheme, to improve the area for shoppers and traffic

£410,000 for road safety measures close to several primary schools

£133,000 for pedestrian improvements along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal.

£60,000 to introduce signs under the Legible London scheme in town centres other than Uxbridge, which got the signs this year.

The road safety funding is likely to be celebrated by headteachers and in particular Charville Primary School in Hayes which in November raised concerns about problems in nearby streets.

The Gazette reported how 12 pupils from the school, in Bury Avenue, took it upon themselves to write to the cabinet member for transportation, Councillor Keith Burrows, following two road accidents in nearby streets within the space of two months.

The council is now considering installing signs at the danger spots which flash warning messages if drivers are travelling too fast.

It is just one example of where money could be spent and officers are carrying out studies at the moment to see where funds are needed most.

Mike Langan, of Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce, said West Drayton and Yiewsley were areas much in need of the extra funding.

He said: “They have suffered from the opening of the Tesco out of town store. All the traders are struggling.

“This money will go towards improving the ambience in the area. It will help to give the area a lift and make it a nicer experience for shoppers.

“What the area still needs though, as do many town centres across the borough, is increased footfall.”

The money is awarded to boroughs each year as part of Transport for London’s Local Implementation Plan.

Last year’s money was spent on a new crossing and improvements outside Eastcote Station, as well as new bike storage, bus stops and electric vehicle charging points elsewhere in the borough.

John Davies, chairman of the Yiewsley and West Drayton Town Centre Action Group, said: “We are already seeing a number of improvements under way, including a new bridge and work to improve traffic flow.

“It will be interesting to see how they choose to spend this money. It’s very positive.”