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An artist’s impression of the proposed fountains at Marble Arch |
Marble Arch fountains will be £1.5m ‘up the spout’
THE leader of Westminster Council has defended its decision to spend £1.5million on new fountains for Marble Arch.
The much-trumpeted restoration of the iconic landmark has been condemned as an “unnecessary extravagance” by the council’s Labour group, following the announcement that both home care charges and meals on wheels charges would be raised.
Leader Colin Barrow said putting Marble Arch back on the map would help boost the economy.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group, said it was £1.5million “up the spout”.
But Mr Barrow said: “I make no apologies for investing in Marble Arch or elsewhere in Westminster as an attractive city is a successful one.
“This is an iconic space and all the residents and businesses I have come across have been extremely supportive of our efforts to put Marble Arch back on the map. I certainly haven’t heard anyone say they want the graffiti to stay there and fountains left derelict. Along with the Mayor, TfL and the private sector we are investing heavily in the renewal of the West End and this investment is in addition to our City Recovery programme to help our businesses and residents during these difficult times.”
Cllr Dimoldenberg said: “Westminster Conservatives have already flushed £17million of public money down the drain by investing in now-failed Icelandic banks. Now another £1.5million is about to go up the spout! How can the Conservatives possibly justify spending this huge amount of public money on this unnecessary extravagance when there is so much poverty to deal with in Westminster?”
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