Hackney set to receive £317k from Sadiq Khan to improve streets

Cash injection: London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Hackney is set to receive an extra £317,000 for its streets and neighbourhoods as part of a multi-million pound cash injection from the Mayor of London.

Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Wednesday (14 February) an extra £11.6 million in Transport for London’s 2018/19 budget for London’s local authorities, bringing the total for that year to £237 million.

A spokesperson for Hackney Council said it expects to receive an extra £317,065 thanks to the London Mayor’s budget decision.

This is fantastic news. Way to go Mayor!👍👏 https://t.co/fPmzMhrKO3

— feryal demirci (@feryaldemirci) February 14, 2018

The investment comes as the government prepares to end Transport for London’s annual £700 million operational subsidy.

Cllr Feryal Demirci, Hackney’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, transport and parks, welcomed the announcement on Twitter, writing: “This is fantastic news. Way to go Mayor!”

The extra money is funded by higher than expected revenue paid to the Mayor of London from local authorities’ business rates.

It will go to help councils invest in “reducing road danger, transforming local environments, encouraging cycling and walking, accessibility and improving air quality”, according to the Mayor’s Office.

Mayor Khan said: “Over the course of the next five years, we’ve committed an unprecedented £1 billion for boroughs to improve local neighbourhoods across London – with a focus on schemes that encourage walking and cycling, making our high streets cleaner and more enjoyable places to spend time.

“The extra £11.6 million funding I’m announcing in this year’s budget means more funding to get projects off the ground this year, with boroughs having more money available to them than any year under the previous Mayor.

He added: “We will continue to work closely with boroughs to ensure these schemes are the very best they can be, and truly transform quality of life for Londoners right across the city.”