Caroline's news

The London Assembly Transport Committee today launches an investigation into how the Tube is performing, looking line by line at what the upgrade programme has delivered, compared to what it promised.

The Tube is now busier than ever in its history, but the timetable for the upgrade programme - which is has a target of a 30 per cent increase in overall capacity by 2020 - has slipped, particularly on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

Caroline Pidgeon AM and eight other former Southwark Councillors were honoured on Saturday 7th May. At St George’s Cathedral, Borough the former councillors were given the title of Honorary Aldermen or Women.

Caroline was the first person to become an Honorary Alderwoman of Southwark, a title now allowed due to a change in legislation last year.

“It was a great honour to be recognised for my service as a local councillor for 12 years. It was fun to catch up with former colleagues from all parties and for the Newington Lib Dem Team of 12 years to be reunited again!” commented Caroline.

The London SE1 website has a report and photos on Southwark's civic award ceremony, which recognised people who have contributed to the borough's life in many fields.

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Baroness Sarah Ludford, London’s Lib Dem MEP, and local Councillor George Allan for a tour around Farringdon Station. The Station is being rebuilt by the end of 2011 as part of the Thameslink programme, but also preparing for Crossrail.

When both of these transport programmes are complete by 2018, this will be one of the busiest stations in London and a very important interchange for people wanting to travel to all London airports and St Pancras International Station.

Caroline Pidgeon joined politicians from across parties and across the capital today to launch an advertising campaign calling on Londoners to make their votes count on May 5th – by saying Yes to AV.

Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan MP and Murad Qureshi AM joined Lib Dems Simon Hughes MP and Caroline Pidgeon AM and the Green Party’s Jenny Jones AM.

Simon Hughes MP, Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make our political system fairer by giving more power to voters and reducing safe seats in parliament. It could be generations before this opportunity presents itself again. Let's make sure we don't miss out.”

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on today’s admission by the Mayor and Transport for London that weekend closures and upgrade work on the Jubilee Line will not be completed until July, said:

“The Mayor, who is Chair of Transport for London, must now apologise to Londoners for this further delay in completing the upgrade of the Jubilee Line.