Plans for a market redevelopment have been approved – after a three and a half year delay.

Holcombe Road Market, in Bruce Grove, will be refurbished and given new kiosks, pavements, signs and CCTV.

The proposal for redevelopment was originally made in March 2012 by Cllr Alan Strickland, representative of Noel Park ward.

By the time work is completed it will be over four years since it was first proposed, if it runs to schedule.

But people who live in the area are unhappy about the amount of time it has taken for the work to finally be approved.

Martin Ball, representative of the Dowset Road Residents' Association on the Bruce Grove Stakeholder Group, said the work will disrupt the town centre, and called for Cllr Strickland's resignation.

He said: "I have no confidence in his leadership on the market improvement scheme. I know other resident representatives feel the same way.

"The contract signing is an opportunity for him to step aside to allow a more credible person to over-see the most important part of the project that is the actual building work period.

"His departure from the scene would give all involved fresh hope and confidence in the successful outcome of an expanded Holcombe Market serving the people of Tottenham."

Cllr Strickland said “It’s long been our ambition to transform Holcombe Road Market into a bustling modern public space, and I’m really pleased to see work getting underway.

“The new market will provide better facilities that show off Tottenham’s great local traders and bring a safer, cleaner and welcoming place for residents and shoppers to visit.

“These improvements go hand-in-hand with our extensive programme of shop front revamps, our public art displays and the community-focused refurbishment of Tottenham Green to make sure Tottenham continues to be eye-catching.”

The council said the aim of the scheme is to make the space more attractive and easier to use, as well as brining more business to an area it called "isolated".

The market, situated opposite Bruce Grove station, currently comprises two family run businesses, a greengrocer and a fishmonger.

The council said the stalls are "popular locally but trade from very poor quality and poorly sited units."