?Olympics great for Islington?, say Lib Dems!

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Jun 2003

Lib Dem Islington council has this week pledged its full support for London's bid to hold the 2012 Olympics. A motion was tabled by the Lib Dems to the council meeting on 17th June 2003 calling on Islington to give it's full backing to the London Olympic bid. The Lib Dems believe that the Olympics are a prime opportunity for London to show what it's made of by hosting the world class event. The Games would bring many benefits for the capital and Islington, acting as a catalyst to help regenerate London, attract more tourists and create jobs. Although the bid would be concentrated mainly in London's nearby east-end, the Lib Dems believe that hosting the Olympics would also have a knock-on effect in supporting the growth of Islington's economy and regeneration. Cllr Laura Willoughby has already been looking seriously into how to maximise the opportunities for Islington. They also stressed that the financial burden of hosting the games must not fall on London's council tax-payers alone. The costs need to be shared throughout the country with help from the private sector. However Lib Dems also warned that the bid would not be successful if the Labour Government did not start to improve transport links across London such as Crossrail, ThamesLink 2000 and the East London Line extension, all of which have been subject to endless delays. The Lib Dem's motion received widespread support from all parties and was passed unanimously. Lib Dem Executive Member for Communities, Councillor Laura Willoughby said: "This is a once-in a lifetime chance for London. If the Olympics come to London everyone including Islington must reap the benefits. "But we don't stand a chance of winning unless the Labour Government and the Mayor get their act together and start improving London's transport. We've already been waiting years for projects like Crossrail and and Thameslink 2000 and this could scupper our chances."