Boris Johnson today invited the public to comment on three “inter-linked strategy documents” outlining his vision for the capital’s future.
City Hall says the London Plan, Economic Development Plan and Draft Transport Strategy contain proposals for to provide “an integrated economic, social, environmental and transport policy framework for London over the years to 2031.”
Inviting the public’s comments on the documents Mayor Johnson said: “There are challenges ahead as to how we provide for our growing population and how we ensure that London comes through the global economic difficulties with its place at the summit of world cities intact. We are meeting these challenges head-on, and these three documents, integral to this effort, outline my vision and strategy for how to do this effectively.”
LibDem Assembly leader Mike Tuffrey branded the Mayor’s draft London Plan “little more than a dreamland of warm words”, claiming Johnson “has failed to face up to the reality that is London today, nor make the tough choices necessary to achieve a better future for Londoners.”
Tuffrey said there was “a chasm between the Mayor’s real record and his bold election pledge to provide extensive housing on land owned by the London Development Agency, TfL and other organisations under his remit.”
“Despite the huge amount of land that comes under the Mayor’s control planning permission has been granted for less than 1000 new homes.”
Green Party AM Darren Johnson said the Economic Development Strategy was “too little, too late to help London out of the recession” and claimed the document ” misses the opportunity to provide tens of thousands of new skilled manual jobs in modern clean tech industries – concentrating instead on high skill sectors such as financial services and education.”
The Liberal Democrat AM Dee Doocey was also critical of the Economic Strategy, which she said was “full of warm words” but lacked ” real support for London’s small businesses, who provide nearly half of London’s employment, nor for the voluntary and community organisations who support the most disadvantaged in society.”
Although the Transport Strategy makes reference to the possible introduction of road charging City Hall has been keen to stress this “would be very much the last resort”.
All three documents can be viewed at: http://www.london.gov.uk/shaping-london
