Works to improve Leyton High Road have scooped an award from Mayor of London Boris Johnson.


Waltham Forest Council and partners were given the 'Best Town Centre Project' accolade at the London Planning awards in City Hall last night.
 

The prize was in recognition of a series of works designed to rejuvenate the area, including the renovation of the former Leyton town hall building, the scheme to paint and refurbish shopfronts, and highway improvements.


Sharing the award with the authority was the Waltham Forest Business Board, Lee Valley Estates and Jan Kattein Architects, which helped with some of the projects.
 

A spokesman for the awards said: "Completed in July, the [Leyton] works have helped local businesses take advantage of new opportunities.


"Quality community and learning spaces have improved the local skills base and the transformation of the public realm instils a sense of civic pride in the neighbourhood."


The award ceremony was organised in conjunction with the mayor, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), London First, and the London Councils umbrella group, which represents local authorities in the capital.
 

Mayor Jules Pipe, chair of London Councils, said: “The exceptionally high quality across the range of categories this year shows that London’s planning system is producing world quality architecture.
 

"London’s boroughs play a key role in planning and ensuring such developments add social, economic and environmental value to local communities."


Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins said: “It is quite something to be presented with an award for one of the best projects of 2012 alongside developments such as the Olympic Park and Kings Cross Station.


“Last year was an absolutely fantastic year for the borough in so many ways and we’re determined to build on that momentum and make the lasting legacy the regeneration of Waltham Forest.


“Waltham Forest Council has embarked on a campaign of investment in High Streets throughout the borough. We’re spending £9million to apply the good practice in Leyton to areas all over Waltham Forest, to provide vital and viable town centres.


“This is part of a campaign of regeneration that is also focused on making huge improvements to our schools and leisure facilities, but that recognises the need to attract business and development to the borough as well."

The council works in Leyton cost just over £3million.