Caroline Pidgeon

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and deputy chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on the news that talks have broken down between London Underground and the unions with a series of strikes now expected to start on Monday, said:

“There are legitimate concerns about TfL's plans to slash the opening hours at so many ticket offices across the Tube network, but taking strike action is not the way forward. The unions are running the risk of losing all public sympathy on this issue.

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has received final confirmation this week that the Department of Transport will not provide £7 million in funding required to build a new train station at Surrey Canal Road.

Funding for the proposed station on the second phase of the East London Line has been considered by the Department of Transport over an extensive period of time. After lengthy delays in making a decision both Boris Johnson and Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, wrote on the 14th December 2009 to the previous transport minister urging that a final decision was made .

Commenting on the Minister’s reply Caroline Pidgeon, who is deputy chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, said:
“It is a great shame that after so many delays and passing of the buck that this situation has arisen. A crucial window of opportunity has long passed to quickly build a station. Sadly it is no longer possible to build a station and ensure its opening coincided with the opening of the second phase of the East London Line.

The Port of London Authority is the body which manages the River Thames from Teddington all the way to the sea. The PLA’s responsibilities include ensuring navigational safety along the Tidal Thames, promoting use of the River and safeguarding the environment. The PLA works in partnership with commercial, recreational, community and amenity groups and organisations to ensure the Thames continues to be a safe and enjoyable environment for trade, recreation and tourism.

Caroline spent an afternoon out on the river with the Chief Harbour Master David Snelson, Director of Corporate Affairs, Alistair Gale and Head of Planning and Partnership, Jim Trimmer.

The visit included a close look at the works at Blackfriars bridge for the new Thameslink railway station which will span the river – and we hope will be renamed Blackfriars and Bankside. All of the materials are being brought to the site along the river which we also witnessed as we travelled down the river towards Greenwich and then past the Thames Barrier.

Caroline was the guest speaker at a summer afternoon tea on Saturday 21st August at the Liberal Club in Orpington.

Caroline was welcomed by Cllr David McBride, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Bromley Council, and spent the afternoon chatting to local members and supporters.

“I was delighted to be invited to speak to members at the Orpington Liberal Club. We discussed the performance of the Mayor of London and where Lib Dem Assembly members have really made a difference, campaigning on issues such as a One Hour Bus Ticket, a clean air zone for London and fair police recruitment”

Key local attractions such as the Tate Modern and the Globe as well as the many businesses on the South Bank could be set to receive a huge boost if Network Rail agrees to change the name of the new Blackfriars station to Blackfriars & Bankside.

Simon Hughes, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, and Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Leader, have now received an assurance from Network Rail that serious consideration is being given to the proposal. Ian Coucher, Chief Executive of Network Rail has stated that he is “sympathetic” to the proposal and has initiated further work to be carried to examine the practical implications of the name change.