Islington once again brings festive cheer to neglected corner of Haringey

5.38.00pm GMT Fri 27th Nov 2009

Stroud Green Lib Dem councillor Richard Wilson and Islington's Lib Dem Council stepped in when Labour Haringey refused to decorate Stroud Green road.

Islington Council, with help from local businesses and local regeneration body FinFuture, is decorating Stroud Green Road for the third year in a row - even though Haringey's Scrooge-like Labour council has once again refused to contribute to decorating the border road.

Stroud Green Road is a major local social hub and a popular shopping street. It is the border between Islington and Haringey: Haringey Council is responsible for the North side of the street, Islington for the South.

But despite a campaign by Stroud Green's Liberal Democrat councillors, Haringey's Labour administration have refused yet again to contribute to the Christmas decorations.

Islington's Lib Dem council leader Terry Stacy said:

"It's obviously disappointing that Haringey haven't contributed so much as a brass farthing to getting the road ready for Christmas, but we're going ahead anyway. It's so important to support our local shops during the Christmas period, especially during this recession."

Haringey Lib Dem councillor for Stroud Green Richard Wilson added:

"I raised this issue with the Labour leader of Haringey at our council meeting last month. I asked why she wouldn't support cross-borough projects like the Christmas lights, but got a disdainful response. Every year we press Haringey to match Islington's generosity, but it's like dealing with Ebeneezer Scrooge."