Southwark Lib Dems condemn "Parking Mad" idea for Potters Field

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th Jun 2006

Commenting on the suggestion by London Assembly Chair Brian Coleman that the Potters Field site should be used for a multi-storey car park, Cllr Lisa Rajan, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for the Environment, said:

Southwark Lib Dem Councillors with the plans for the Potters Field site

"On World Environment Day it beggars belief that the Chair of the London Assembly should suggest building a concrete parking lot in the middle of London's iconic South Bank."

"Our vision is for a world class centre to put Southwark on the global map, not a park and ride for city traders."

Local Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes added:

"Mr Coleman's ideas for Potters Fields are 'parking mad'. Potters Fields is next to a World Heritage site and one of the most important remaining riverside sites awaiting development. The development on this most visible and hugely significant place should be one Southwark, London and the country is proud of."

"We may need more car parking spaces in London - but this is not the place. Anyway, it is just inside the Congestion Charge Zone - which is another reason why it's a very silly idea."