Work on the £2.1million Barkingside revamp is now underway and is set to “dramatically” change the area when it is completed next year.

Ilford Recorder: An artist's impression of the completed site in High Street, Barkingside.An artist's impression of the completed site in High Street, Barkingside. (Image: Archant)

Building work to make the area around Fullwell Cross Library in High Street more attractive and accessible has started, and contractors are on site making “minor maintenance improvements”.

The majority of the funding for the Better Barkingside project has come from the Greater London Authority and was agreed in January last year.

It is expected that the town square will be the last part of the work to be completed, after the “pocket park” in Virginia Gardens is built and changes are made to the library.

A Redbridge Council spokesman said: “The blank wall of the leisure centre will be improved dramatically by building a covered arcade against it.

“The disused sundeck part of the pool in Virginia Gardens will be transformed into a pocket park with seating areas and play equipment.”

The council still expect the work to be finished on schedule by March 2014, buy this will depend on the “weather conditions over the winter.”

The spokesman added: “The final part of the project to be complete is the town square area. The project will also improve the steps and ramps into the library and complement the Grade II Listed building with a new entrance into the leisure centre.”

New trees and “soft landscaping” will also be added.

Fullwell ward councillor, Harold Moth, said: “The project does seem to be going very slowly, and I walk past it almost every day. I think the main difference, and the part the public will appreciate the most, is the new park.

“I have some strong reservations about the scheme including the new logia which police don’t seems that happy with, however I’m glad to see some movement at last seeing as there’s so much money at stake.”