CAMPAIGNERS marked a victory on Friday when lights and CCTV went up on the White Hart roundabout underpass the spot where pensioner Akberali Tayabali Mohamedally was brutally beaten to death last year.
The unveiling followed an unrelenting campaign by residents and councillors for more than a year.
The 52 new lighting columns and 12 closed-circuit television cameras were brought in following the killing of Mr Mohamedally, of Radcliffe Way, Northolt, 18 months ago.
Mr Mohamedally was beaten to death in a racist attack by two teenagers in the underpass as he made his way home from the pub on April 2, last year. The two men were later convicted of manslaughter and jailed for ten years each.
Members of Mr Mohamedally's family, residents of Northolt, councillors, representatives from Transport for London and Ealing Borough Police, came together for the unveiling.
Linda Koupparis, of Danemead Grove Residents Association, said: "We have been having meetings every one or two months for the last 18 months to get this refurbishment to happen.
"People realised that it is a terrible thing someone had to die before something was done, but we have been fighting to get this project completed.
"It just goes to show what working together can achieve. There is a great community spirit which helped make this happen."
London Mayor Ken Livingstone visited the area following the murder to see what improvements were needed. Cllr Dave Bond, (Lab), had been campaigning for CCTV cameras to be installed in the underpass for eight years. He said: "This has been a long-standing issue. That is why I am so pleased it has been resolved now. In 12 months we had three rapes, 21 muggings and one killing."
Cllr Bond added: "Mr Mohamedally was very well known and wellliked in Northolt. This refurbishment and plaque is a fitting tribute."
Mr Mohamedally's daughter Sakina and his granddaughter Tasneem also attended.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article