Council leaders’ summit will call for investment - Case for Central London gathering will argue that West End suffering from neglect + editorial comment

Published: 19 March 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

COUNCIL leaders from central London boroughs are set to meet at a special summit to discuss ways of transforming the West End.

Speakers at the Case for Central London gathering, which will be held at the German Gymnasium in St Pancras, will argue that the West End has suffered from government neglect and has failed to fulfil its potential as an economic and cultural powerhouse.

Among the issues believed to have been exacerbated by a “lack of direction” are: chronic transport problems and an overcrowding crisis that requires more housing, and unemployment. 

Those speaking at next Thursday’s meeting include the leader of Westminster Council Colin Barrow, and his counterpart in Camden, Keith Moffitt, Kensington and Chelsea’s Merrick Cockell, Islington’s Terry Stacy, and Lambeth’s Steve Reed. 

Members of the Greater London Author­ity and the London Business Board are also expected to attend. They are set to invite the new government to work more closely with them to improve stuttering transport networks, insuf­ficient housing supply and joblessness. 

Eric Sorensen, director of Central London Forward, the group organising the event, said: “This is about working through some of those intractable problems that are focused on the West End. 

“Because of the geography of local authorities we have to work together to be heard. 

“Whoever the new government is after the next election, we want them to pay attention to what the West End has to offer.”

Editorial comment:

Homes should be the centre of attention

FEW other capitals throughout the world, if any, have such a unique and special place as central London – a centre for arts and culture, a hub for business, for fashion and tourism.

But how dreadfully it is maltreated by central government. London ministers come and go but little changes.

Over the years the upkeep and improvement of transport has always been treated as an after-thought by Whitehall.  

While, infrastructurally, the centre should be kept as it is, its public spaces badly need tidying up. 

People live side by side with shops, offices and theatres in other capitals. Here, there is little of this, except in Soho.

Homes need to be brought back to the centre as in the 18th and 19th centuries.

We hope government minds will be concentrated by discussions at a special summit next Thursday at the German Gymnasium in St Pancras.