Another Livingstone letdown on East London Line, say Lib Dems (Islington Liberal Democrats)

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

Another Livingstone letdown on East London Line, say Lib Dems

July 26, 2004 1:28 PM

Liberal Democrats on Islington Council have slammed Labour Mayor Ken Livngstone after the news that the long-awaited East London Line extension will not be coming to Islington after all.

The government and Mayor Livingstone trumpeted the go-ahead as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review last week. The impression was given that all the planned extension from Highbury & Islington to West Croydon/Clapham Junction would be going ahead as planned now that the funding had been agreed.

Islington Liberal Democrats have since discovered that the East London Line extension will actually be built in two phases with last week's funding announcement only covering phase 1 - Dalston to West Croydon. All the planned stations for Islington are in Phase 2 of the extension with no date announced for its construction.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Sustainability, councillor Bridget Fox, said:

"Despite all the spin last week, Labour have not confirmed the funding for Phase Two which puts Islington's section of the East London Line extension at risk.

"Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for years to get all the benefits of the East London Line extension coming to Islington and most recently have been calling on the Mayor to extend the line to Caledonian Road & Barnsbury.

"While the Mayor deserves credit for keeping the project alive, Islington Liberal Democrats will be seeking urgent talks to ensure that the vital Phase Two is guaranteed. New Labour continues to let Islington down."

The Facts

The East London Line extension has two planned stations in Islington - Canonbury and Highbury & Islington. Islington Liberal Democrats have led the campaign for the line to be extended to Caledonian Road & Barnsbury station as trains will pass through the station to reach their depot at Kings Cross. Mayor Livingstone has refused to consider the extension to Caledonian Road & Barnsbury until the new line is up and running to Highbury & Islington. This is despite him including it in the map of London's future underground network that was released to the media two weeks ago. Bridget Fox has now written to Mayor Livingstone demanding an urgent meeting to discuss the funding of Phase 2 of the East London Line extension.