Lib Dem council grills Government over East London Line extension delay (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Lib Dem council grills Government over East London Line extension delay

April 7, 2004 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrat Islington council is pressing the Labour Government to give the early go-ahead for the East London Line extension after concerns that they are losing interest in this vital transport project. The East London Line extension is due to stop in a number of places in Islington but has been plagued with delays. The Lib Dem council has now sent letters to Department of Transport, the Treasury, the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and to the Chair of Transport Select Committee, outlining the importance of this new transport link to Islington and the council's commitment to this project. The council is also backing the Liberal Democrat campaign for there to be a stop at Caledonian & Barnsbury station which will help regenerate one of the most deprived wards in London. Liberal Democrat councillor Bridget Fox, who is also responsible for transport on the council, said: "We want to send a clear message to the Labour Government that this project is important for Islington and it should not be put on the back-burner. "The East London Line extension will provide new transport links, help regenerate areas and open up more opportunities for jobs and education. It will also give businesses in those areas a real boost. "The council is also backing the Lib Dems campaign for a stop at Caledonian & Barnsbury, which the trains will be running through anyway. This is one of London's most deprived areas and a new tube stop here would be a massive lift. Despite many promises they have still not definitely agreed to a stop so we will continue to press them "We will be urging Labour to stop dithering and give the early go-ahead for this vital project. We are also arguing that there should be a stop at Caledonian & Barnsbury station which the trains will be running through anyway."