BELEAGURED traders have been given a much-needed boost after the council announced plans to invest £600,000 in their shopping district.

Shopkeepers in Woodford Green Broadway were left fuming last month when the authority launched a clampdown on them displaying goods in the street outside their stores - causing a huge drop in custom for some businesses.

Many stores, like Sacha's Florists, had displayed their wares outside for decades - and accused the council of 'unfairly picking on them' when they are already struggling to survice the recession.

But the authority hopes to help attract more customers to the area by investing £600,000 over the next three years on street improvements in the Broadway, and nearby Snakes Lane East.

Monkhams ward councillor Jim O'Shea said the scheme, which is being entirely funded by Transport for London (TfL) - demonstrates the council's commitment to traders in the area.

He said: "The money will be spent on new lighting and paving and to remove some of the street clutter to improve access to two roads for shoppers.

"The Broadway and Snakes Lane are both on the up, with the Broadway alone seeing four new shops opening in the past two months.

"The council wants to do its bit to help make the area even more attractive for shoppers."

The plan will see £491,500 spent on road 'improvements' in the Broadway and £100,000 in Snakes Lane East.