A new market space, trees and cycle stands are just some of the ways the Mayor’s Outer London Fund will be spent on a revamp of Cricklewood.

Work is due to begin to widen a section of pavement running along Cricklewood Lane, close to the B&Q store, to make space for the developments as well new lighting, seating and a community notice board.

Work is already underway to enhance the town centre’s shop fronts, pedestrian crossings and street furniture, as well as replacing pavements with new granite paving. 

There will also be new signs to mark the town centre which sits at the meeting point of Barnet, Brent and Camden.

This will include the construction of a sign overlooking the high street with the name Cricklewood spelled out in one metre high letters, as well as a similar sign on the railway bridge over Cricklewood Lane.

The developments will be paid for out of a pot of £1.6 million from the Outer London Fund, and Barnet and Brent council have also contributed an additional £591,000.

The project, which is expected to be completed by March, is being delivered in partnership with Barnet, Brent and Camden councils and the Cricklewood Town Team, which has been set up to work on long-term improvements in the area.

Danny Maher, chairman of the Cricklewood Improvement Programme, said: “It’s great to see the improvements taking place and I’m looking forward to seeing the positive changes.

“This is only the beginning of a rejuvenated, vibrant, pleasant and welcoming town centre. A big thanks to the GLA and Barnet, Brent and Camden for working with us on our vision for our community.”

But some campaigners have said the plans could have been better if the £4billion Brent Cross Regeneration project had not been approved last month.

In particular, campaigner Lia Colacicco said the green space adjacent to B&Q could have been used for the community instead of a new development under the scheme which stretches across Brent Cross and Cricklewood.

Ms Colacicco told the Times Series: “I think the market space will be great, and I support the improvements, but it’s what happens in the future that I’m worried about. Cricklewood has no real town centre, no heart to it, and the green space would have been a fantastic town square or park for the community. The issue will be when they built on that land.”