Lambeth regeneration great example of EU investment

7.52.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 10th May 2004

Ruth Farmer (left) from the community centre and Ismahan Botan, who attends the centre show Dinti Wakefield, Sarah Ludford and Caroline Pidgeon around the Yvonne Carr Community Centre

London needs real support if it is to live up to its reputation as a world leading city, according to London's Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford.

Baroness Ludford, GLA candidate for Southwark and Lambeth Cllr Caroline Pidgeon and Lambeth councillor and European candidate Dinti Wakefield visited the Yvonne Carr Community Centre today as part of a visit to an area of Lambeth that has received some £6 million in EU funds for the period 2000-2006, the only area in London to be granted 'URBAN II' funding for regeneration. The community centre is just one of the projects supported by the Stockwell Partnership.

Baroness Ludford said:

"This is an excellent community project to which the EU has contributed.

"I'm delighted that the significant European funding contribution is recognized in notices on the building. I am working with Lib Dem colleagues to ensure that the lack of matching funding from UK sources does not prevent EU resources being fully utilized."

Caroline Pidgeon added:

"This is an interesting and encouraging project much needed in the area. It's clear however that for such regeneration projects to really succeed much more support is needed from organizations such as the LDA.

"There's always a danger that deprived areas of London get overlooked by a Government that sees only a wealthy London and poor northern regions. London needs real support and joined up policies so we can all be proud of all of it, all of the time."