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Boris challenged on Garden Bridge by Waterloo resident

London SE1 website team

Boris Johnson has been challenged by a Waterloo resident on the decision to award £60 million of public funding to the Garden Bridge during his monthly radio phone-in.

Maureen from Waterloo called 'Ask Boris' on LBC on Tuesday morning to take issue with the use of £30 million of Transport for London money and £30 million of central Government cash for the proposed bridge between the South Bank and Temple Station.

"It's such a disgrace when we need social housing that £60 million is going to this bridge which is completely unnecessary," said Maureen.

The Mayor replied: "There are some people in that neighbourhood who do worry about it.

"All I can say that it will be a fantastic addition to London and we will do our best to make sure that the impact will be as minimal as possible.

"It is a scheme that ... has overwhelming public support and ... we want to push it forward."

Mr Johnson added: "What we are going to have to do in Maureen's case is make sure that the scheme is done as sensitively as possible and there is minimal disruption.

"I apologise to her for the disruption she is going to experience, but I think in the end it will be a fantastic thing for her neighbourhood and that part of London.

"It will bring business, it will bring footfall and it will bring excitement to both the north and south sides of the river."

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