A NEIGHBOURHOOD in need of a boost is being neglected by Redbridge Council, according to a community campaign group.

A £5.6 million plan to improve the centre of Barkingside drawn up in July 2010, at a cost of £80,000, is now on hold due to a lack of cash.

Plans included improving Fulwell Cross roundabout, creating community facilities, removing the defunct paddling pool in Virginia Gardens and opening up the area around the swimming pool in High Street.

The council said it was hoping to fund the project using external funding, including money provided by developers as a condition of planning permission for housing schemes.

John Sharrock, of community group Barkingside 21, asked cabinet members last week what progress had been made.

He was told no funding was available and other projects, such as improving street lighting, were a higher priority.

Mr Sharrock said he was very disappointed that plans have been shelved and singled out the proposed £450,000 work in Virgina Gardens as a particular source of frustration.

He said: “That one seemed to stand out, it’s something that would really tie the community together. It’s an eyesore at the moment but could be a great place for local people to use.

“Barkingside really gets overlooked by the council. It’s just like going up a cul-de-sac. There’s no way to turn because we are not getting any money – it’s a dead end.”

Cllr Nick Hayes, cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said: “There would only be about £100,000 available for the Virginia Gardens scheme - that’s about 25 per cent of the estimated cost and we don’t want to start building and have to stop.”

He revealed that Virginia Gardens and other aspects of the plans have been earmarked as the subjects of possible bids for Mayor Boris Johnson’s Outer London Fund.

A council spokesman said: "The plan was always intended to be a long-term programme and the substantial financial and market pressures will make finding sources of public and private finance to implement the plan extremely difficult in the short to medium term."

Click here to follow the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian on Twitter