Nearly £1million worth of funding will be divvied up between 14 projects across Merton.

The funding for the projects is from Merton Council’s Neighbourhood Fund - which comes from the charges the council makes to developers to help fund the infrastructure or community facilities needed to support new homes and businesses in the borough.

One program receiving support will look to revitalise Haydons Road and Bramcote Parade.

Nicola Thompson runs the hyper-local HaydonsRoadNorthCommunity blog and has been pushing for improvement works in the streets around the top of Haydons Road.

"It is wonderful news that our rundown shopping parade is getting this well-funded makeover after many years of neglect," she said.

"Our neighbourhood becomes a key gateway to Merton with the Wimbledon Stadium redevelopment, so transforming the streetscape will help give the best impression to visitors as well as making things more pleasant for residents.

"We are desperate for greenery to help alleviate the problems of heavy traffic and poor air quality, so will continue to press for effective planting that can really brighten up our streets."

She added that protected cycle lanes, rain gardens and a planted, tree-lined boulevard were all on the wishlist.

Wimbledon Park Councillor Edward Gretton played a big part in securing the funding for the area and was delighted to hear it had been approved on Monday.

"This is an area of Wimbledon that has suffered from busy traffic, poor air quality, a lack of trees and greenery and very neglected shopfronts," he said.

"We have worked to secure funding from the Council’s Neighbourhood CIL monies to give the Parade at Haydons Road the investment it needs.

"This will be especially important with the ongoing developments at Plough Lane and the hundreds of new residents who will soon move into the area."

A number of 'bridging the gap' projects have also secured funding.

These include Supporting Commonside Community Development Trust’s projects for residents on the Pollards Hill estate and in east Mitcham; a Children School and Families Employability Programme to increase access to the labour market for youngsters; façade improvements to the Bramcote Avenue shopping parade in Mitcham; and the Move More Mitcham project to support those at risk of developing a mental health disorder.