‘Major concerns’ about the regeneration of Croydon town centre have been raised at the GLA (Greater London Authority) this week.

And in response Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has agreed to meet with Croydon Council to address worries.

His assurances came after assembly member for Croydon and Sutton, Steve O’Connell, asked what his assessment was of the redevelopment of the town centre.

Last month it was announced that work on the £1.4bn Westfield shopping centre will now not start until 2020.

It is set to replace the existing Whitgift  Centra and was originally expected to start this year.

The shopping centre is just one part of The Growth Zone programme- made up of 46 projects totalling £520m and includes transport and public spaces for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I remain optimistic about the regeneration of Croydon town centre.

“In April last year the Croydon Growth Zone was initiated. This will capture growth and business rates for the next 16 years and help fund the £500m package of critical infrastructure required to deliver the wholesale renewal of the retail core and at least 10,000 new homes.

“GLA and TfL continue to work closely with Croydon Council to ensure that the required infrastructure is delivered at the right time.”

But Mr O’Connell who is also a Croydon councillor for Kenley ward, said that the Growth Zone is key to the future success of the area.

“I think your response is somewhat on the sunny side – It’s not an overstatement to say that the prosperity of Croydon and large swathes of South London  is predicated on this successful scheme,” he said.

“This is a cross party lobbying point and there is major concern about the slippage in this scheme.”

He asked if there could be a meeting held at the GLA between Croydon Council and TfL to “get this project moving”.

Mr Khan agreed that he was “more than happy” to set up the meeting to ensure the project that is ‘crucial to the future of Croydon’ will go ahead.