The ward councillor for Alperton has suggested the money would be better spent on other Brent projects
A North London council has been criticised for “wasting public money” over the “staggering” £138,000 it is expected to cost to paint one of the borough’s bridges.
The ward councillor for Alperton suggests it is “a cosmetic project” and the funds would be better spent in other ways. Brent Council has commissioned Wood Street Walls studio to clean and paint the bridge adjacent to Alperton Underground Station.
The project is being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – a component of the government’s Levelling Up agenda – to install public art on the external facades of the Ealing Road bridge.
The designs have been developed by Group 19 – a local collective of artists and designers – following consultations with two local schools and residents.
Brent Liberal Democrat Group Leader and representative for Alperton, Cllr Anton Georgiou told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We need money spent in Alperton on the things that matter to residents. But spending a staggering £138,000 on repainting a bridge is not what we have been asking for.
“We want cleaner streets, roads and pavements to be fixed, and anti-social behaviour tackled. Instead, Labour has chosen to spend six figures repainting a bridge. At a time when so many local services are under pressure, this is a disgraceful waste of £138,000 of public money and shows how wrong the council’s priorities are.
“If Labour wants local people to feel proud of where they live, they should stop wasting taxpayers’ money on cosmetic projects and start delivering the improvements residents and Liberal Democrat Councillors have been calling for.”
The works began on July 13 and are expected to be completed by September 12. It will take place overnight between 10pm and 5am and will mean a partial closure of Ealing Road and the bus stop at Ealing Road/Alperton Station is required for the duration of the works. There will be no need for any rail line closures.
A Brent Council spokesperson told the LDRS: “The improvements to Alperton Underground Station bridge form part of Brent Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme and are funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Greater London Authority. This funding has been allocated specifically for regeneration and economic development projects and cannot be redirected to routine maintenance budgets.
“The scheme will create a more welcoming gateway to Alperton, complement wider public realm improvements around the station and support Ealing Road’s status as a Mayor of London Creative Enterprise Zone. It forms part of wider investment in Alperton, alongside new homes, public spaces, infrastructure and community facilities.
“The improvements will help cement Alperton and Ealing Road’s growing reputation as a destination for South Asian cuisine, culture and creativity. The project builds on previous investment in the area, including the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zone, which is helping to support local businesses, attract visitors and strengthen the area’s unique cultural identity.”
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