News from Westminster Labour

Boris cuts Westminster highways and transport schemes by 8%

The damaging impact on Westminster of a Conservative Mayor of London has been illustrated today by an 8% cut, from £3.7 million in 2008/09 to £3.4 million in 2009/10, in the amount of money Westmminster is getting from Transport for London for highways and transport schemes.

Key elements in the Mayor Johnson’s cuts for Westminster are:

* a reduction of £140,000 in the amount for road safety – from £692,000 in 2008/09 to to £562,000 in 2009/10;
* a reduction of £10,000 in the amount for road safety education – from £25,000 to £15,000;
* a reduction of £47,000 in the amount for pedestrian schemes – from £350,000 to £303,000;
* a reduction of £545,000 in the amount for cycling schemes – from £885,000 to £340,000.

In addition, the Mayor rejected completely a Council bid of £955,00 for much needed pavement repairs.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group said:

“The Mayor’s 8 per cent cut in support for highways and transport schemes in Westminster is bad news for local residents and for the local environment. It is also bad news for the London economy as there will be less work around because of this cut. This is a time to invest, not a time to cut. Once again the Conservatives’ so-called ‘economic recovery plan’ has been proved to be a myth.”

Other news from Westminster Labour

• Twelve questions for the next Leader of Westminster Council - 10 February 2012
• Westminster Council joint bottom of London league for Adult Social Care - 6 February 2012
• Westminster Labour calls for an 'outbreak of democracy' over election of new council Leader - 2 February 2012