London Olympics threatens Manchester Park Restoration

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 28th Mar 2006

Friends of Alexandra Park in Whalley Range and local Liberal Democrat Councillors are dismayed that the heritage lottery bid to restore this Victorian park will have to start all over again because of demands on the fund by the London Olympics.

Alexandra Park is a large, Victorian district park which is in need of massive restoration. Many of the trees are approaching the end of their life and the historic buildings are in desperate need of repair. Local people were thrilled when the city council successfully completed stage 1 of a bid for lottery heritage funds. Widespread local consultation took place. There was, however, growing concern as time slipped by that the final bid had not been submitted and much needed work kept being delayed because of the "Lottery bid".

In a written update to the Friends of the Park the council indicate that the total Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) "pot" available for schemes like Alexandra Park is shrinking and might be further affected by the need to find funding from the lottery for the 2012 Olympics. HLF is launching a new programme called "Parks for People" but the bid to restore Alexandra Park will have to start at stage 1 all over again.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Joy Winder said:

"I am very angry at this news. I could not understand why the council had not got the 2nd stage completed and submitted. Now we appear to back to square one with the buildings continuing to deteriorate. When the government refused to fund the "Big Bang" extension to the Metrolink in Manchester but was willing to support London's cross city train we thought this was all about the Olympics. Now it looks as though the restoration of this wonderful park is again threatened by the London Olympics. Does London and the rich south east want it all?"

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