Stephen Williams MP Slams Arena Failure

9.59.00am GMT Thu 13th Dec 2007

Stephen Williams MP has condemned the South West Regional Development Agency and Labour run Bristol City Council after plans to build a 10,000-seat arena adjacent to Bristol Temple Meads were abandoned.

The Arena has already cost taxpayers approximately £13 million pounds. However, it was announced this morning that, due to the large amount of public investment needed, the project would not go ahead.

Commenting, Stephen Williams said:

"This is disastrous news for Bristol. We have been waiting years for the Arena. It's scandalous that the capital of the West Country can't compete with Cardiff and Birmingham for major concerts and conferences."

"The revamp of the Colston Hall is welcome but Bristol needs a large scale venue too. In over 20 years that I've lived in Bristol I've seen many bands on their way up or on their way down but never get the chance to see an act at their peak! It looks as though another generation of Bristolians will suffer the same cultural deprivation."

"This is a major failure by both the Labour led Bristol City Council and the unaccountable South West Regional Development Agency."