Caroline's news

Seconding a London Assembly motion calling for consideration to be given to a permanent 20mph speed limit on Blackfriars Bridge, Caroline Pidgeon commented:

“A third of the peak time traffic across Blackfriars Bridge are cyclists and we already know that they are at significantly more risk when travelling across bridges than they are on similar city roads. That’s why we want Transport for London (TfL) to take a robust look at the safety of all users on Blackfriars Bridge and for the Mayor to use the facts to put safety first."

Caroline Pidgeon has joined Ealing Liberal Democrats to launch a petition to get the Council and the Mayor of London to make a commitment for a fully integrated public transport interchange at Ealing Broadway.

The present station is no longer fit for purpose, say the Lib Dems. Rebuilding it for Crossrail is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make it a proper interchange we can be proud of, with step-free access for passengers to move freely between trains, tubes, buses and taxis.

The London Assembly Transport Committee is reviewing TfL’s plans to make London the first city in the world where contactless payment is available on the entire transport network – starting with buses from spring next year.

The Committee will assess the benefits and the risks of using contactless bank cards to pay for travel, both for passengers and for Transport for London. TfL expects contactless cards will be cheaper to operate than Oyster, but the Committee will investigate security concerns that have been raised.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon AM, said:
“Transport for London has big plans for the future of ticketing in the capital, but any changes must be geared towards increasing convenience and value for passengers.

“Security is also an issue. The use of contactless bank cards will be seen as a step forward by some people, but others may be reluctant to flash their debit or credit card at a ticket gate.

“We will review the benefits and risks of TfL’s short and long-term ticketing plans to ensure they are right for London.”

In a Metropolitan Police Authority meeting yesterday, Paul Stephenson admitted that - as revealed by Liberal Democrats through Freedom of Information enquiries - senior members of the Met accepted lunches and dinners from News International executives, including the former executive editor of the paper, who is under arrest on suspicion of phone hacking.

Caroline Pidgeon told ITV's London Tonight:

It seems extraordinary to me that senior members of the Met would have lunches and dinners with newspapers.

They give their reasons why it is "reasonable" - I don't think it is, and I don't think it looks it to the public.

You can see ITV's video report here - and also read the BBC's coverage here.

Responding to the shocking news that a suicide victim's body was left in a Tube station cupboard and discovered by shocked staff, Caroline Pidgeon said:
"For London Underground to claim that its standard procedures have been followed in this horrific incident simply highlights that its procedures are totally inadequate.

"Combining respect for a dead body with keeping LU operating must be a tough challenge on some occasions but it can and must be done."

Caroline will be raising concerns about London Underground's handling of the tragedy with the Mayor.