Councillors have given their backing to a £1.7million scheme to help regenerate Woodford Bridge.

Redbridge Council will now commit to a bid for the Transport for London (TfL) money to regenerate the area.

Proposals include a plan to make the area around the M11 flyover more pedestrian friendly, improving crossing facilities along Chigwell Road and upgrading street lighting near Roding Primary School.

The bid also seeks to install a footpath on the green which sits between Green Walk, Roding Lane North and Chigwell Road.

Woodford Bridge is already undergoing a £426,000 series of street scene improvements and council officers say that will aid their bid for TfL money as it underlines the council’s financial commitment to the area.

At a meeting of the council’s area two committee meeting last night councillors gave the bid their unanimous backing.

Councillor Paul Canal of Bridge Ward said: “It’s an area that has needed support for quite a while.”

He suggested adding a zebra crossing on both sides of The Green to complement the proposed footpath and aid parents and children from Roding Primary School.

Council Officer Scott Wilding said he would add Cllr Canal’s proposal to the plans which will now go out to consultation with residents and business owners in July.

A formal bid is expected to be submitted to TfL in September with a decision expected by Christmas.

If the bid is successful work is expected to begin in late 2014.