Press Release
Mayor restates case to keep Wembley
26-6-2001 273
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has repeated his view that Wembley should indisputably remain the home of soccer.
His comments follow the Government's decision to refer the future of the stadium to an inquiry headed by businessman Patrick Carter. The inquiry has an eight-week deadline.
Ken Livingstone said: "Wembley is already a world-famous name and has helped to maintain Britain's international reputation as the home of soccer.
"Transport links are a vital consideration - as well as those already established there are firm plans for a new £90 million state-of-the-art Tube station, two improved railway stations and two new road links, all of which are ready to go.
"By contrast, transport links to the suggested alternative sites are inadequate or non-existent. It is also well-known that journey times from a regional city to the capital are generally faster than from regional city to regional city because of the national rail infrastructure."
The Mayor also stressed that redevelopment was needed for the whole area of north-west London. "The new stadium is vital for the economic regeneration of this area, which has suffered some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country, with unemployment running at twice the national average.
"I am pleased to see that a commitment has already been made by the government's review group to give priority to making Wembley work before looking at alternatives. The Wembley site has already gone through three years of planning and is ready to roll, the last thing football needs is yet more delay."
Ends
Notes to Editors
For further information please call Helen hall-Wright or Theresa Hart in the press office on 020 7983 4072/07747 766675 or 020 7983 4068/ 07887 832931.
For general or non media enquiries, please contact the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4100
For media enquiries, please contact: Press Office, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4070
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