Footbridges to help people cross a main road more safely are being refurbished following pressure from Waltham Forest Council to make the work a priority.

The authority said it is thanks to its pressure on TfL that the works, originally scheduled for 2017, are being brought forward to 2013/14.

The £2 million project will see three footbridges over the A12 improved.

Church Lane footbridge in Leytonstone is set to be completely refurbished from July, including new lighting and a new mesh enclosure to improve visibility, in an attempt to ensure there is less anti-social behaviour because the bridge can be clearly seen.

Dryers Hall Road footbridge has already had improvement works and is set to have the finishing touches applied next month, while Langhorne Road is due to be refurbished next year.

Works will include removing the Perspex cover and replacing it with mesh and adding new lighting.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “These footbridges provide a vital connection between Leytonstone and Leyton. It means that residents can walk and cycle across the borough safety without being forced to take ridiculous and time consuming diversions.

“We pushed TfL to carry out the works now as they were long overdue, and we want our residents to feel safety when using these footbridges. This investment is in addition to the £4million that TfL is making to improve the borough’s roads and transport hubs.”