Islington ignored as Labour Government rejects borough bids

12.52.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Aug 2008

Councillor Greg Foxsmith

Transport campaigners right across Islington were dismayed this week as the Labour Government snubbed the borough by refusing funds for transport improvements. Archway, Old Street Roundabout, Highbury Corner, and Drayton Park station all hoped to see a share of a £200 million Government fund for transport improvements. But the Government has refused to put down cash for any of the four Islington schemes.

The Community Infrastructure Fund of £200 million was offered by the Department for Transport and the Department for Communities and Local Government to fund transport schemes that support housing. Nearby projects that did win funding were the Tottenham Hale gyratory project and the width reduction of Seven Sisters Road in Hackney.

Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Islington's executive councillor for Transport, has slammed the Government for overlooking the needs of Islington residents. He commented:

"Islington is blighted by outdated road layouts that cause bottlenecks for drivers and are dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. It's one of the big ambitions of the Liberal Democrats here to do something about these dreadful gyratories, but once again we've had no backing from the Labour Government.

"If Islington is going to support new housing, our roads need proper investment - so it's a real let-down that the Labour Government has once again snubbed our community."