THE first phase in a £2.5million redevelopment of central Leyton's streets has been approved.

Waltham Forest Council's cabinet agreed last night to an initial £950,000 investment for works in Ruckholt Road, which will include the expansion of the pavement, the installation of new lighting and the removal of "street furniture".

Further works to Leyton High Road are expected to be approved at a later date.

Julian Lewis, director of East consultants, which is pioneering the scheme, told last night's cabinet meeting that the redevelopment of Ruckholt Road and surrounding streets could help radically transform the look and appeal of the area.

He said: “Lots of Leyton is already great and it's a nice place to live with good transport links, but we want to enhance what's already valuable.

“We want to do things like de-clutter the area and improve lighting which can make streets much more welcoming.

“They might seem quite modest improvements but they all up to a big change.”

Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for the environment, said: “This is another benefit from being an Olympic borough. It's good to see these schemes coming forward certainly need they are going to make a difference in parts of the borough that desperately need it.

“We should all get onside and get on and do this.”

But Afzal Akram, portfolio holder for resources, business and employment, said he had concerns about further plans for new seating in Leyton High Road as part of the package of changes.

He said: “I've spent four years trying to do away with this so we must make sure we deal with anti-social behaviour and work with the police because one of these [proposed new seating areas] is close to a hot-spot of anti-social behaviour.”

Mr Lewis said: “Your point is absolutely right. We have to liaise with police but over time this [scheme] will help improve the area and it will get better.”

The council estimates that the works, which will run alongside the authority's own changes to the area, will begin this August and be completed by February 2011.