article_snippet.sent: When the project first began the project was promised the project would be paid for in the project entirety through private funds.
article_snippet.sent: £60 million of public money has been pledged by Boris Johnson and George Osborne - £30 million each – for the project.
article_snippet.sent: The promises were made against a tide of criticism likening the scheme more to a privately managed tourist landmark than a bridge.
article_snippet.sent: Calling the bridge a ‘vanity project
article_snippet.sent: ’ Ball was quoted as saying money should be available for the bridge through the Heritage Lottery Fund as is common practice.
article_snippet.sent: He highlighted the mayor’s previous statements that public money would not be used for the bridge only to reveal last month that public funds would be needed in perpetuity to underwrite the bridge’s yearly £3.5 million maintenance bill.
article_snippet.sent: George Osborne (left) and Boris Johnson (centre) have promised £30 million each for the scheme which Michael Ball (right) has called a vanity project .
article_snippet.sent: the scheme which Michael Ball (right) has called a vanity project was recently put forward by the London Assembly that the public have free access to the bridge, considering how much taxpayers’ money was being used for the scheme which Michael Ball (right) has called a vanity project.
highlights_snippet.sent: George Osborne and the mayor have promised £60 million in funds but opponents say the public won't have access .
  