Caroline's news

As the Mayorwatch website reports, the Mayor's "New Bus for London" shows signs that it will suffer from no less fare evasion than bendy buses did, with three separate doors.

Caroline Pidgeon commented:

Given that fare evasion stands at £63 million, it is time the Mayor stopped just talking tough on fare evasion and actually adopted some tough measures. His new London bus with its three sets of doors, will effectively be the new ‘free bus’ in London unless its conductors actually check people’s fares.

Read the full article here.

Caroline joined Lib Dem Leader Cllr Paul Lorber and local Brent and Harrow candidate Charlotte Henry on Saturday 21st January meeting local library campaigners in Kensal Rise.

The Labour Council has closed 6 libraries across the Borough despite strong opposition and a campaign that has gone to the high court. Caroline talked to local campaigners and saw first hand their fantastic pop up library which has been established to keep a library in the area.

Caroline raised with the Mayor of London at the budget meeting on the 25th January, whether he had considered giving any support for libraries in his budget, perhaps through helping to support and train volunteers who are now running so many across London.

Caroline joined local Liberal Democrats in Cann Hall at a public meeting to discuss public transport in the area. Many residents came along to raise concerns from the impact of the Olympics on local streets to issues with bus routes 257 and 58.

The team also heard about problems with the Central Line and TfL’s attitude towards working with community groups to improve bus routes and services.

Caroline will be taking up a number of issues from the meeting.

Caroline Pidgeon joined local Liberal Democrats including Lewisham and Greenwich Candidate John Russell and Leader Cllr Chris Maines out and about in Lewisham on Friday 27th January. The team were collecting signatures at the dangerous Courthill Road and Lewisham Way junction. Pedestrians literally take their lives into their own hands as they attempt to cross the roads at this junction with traffic in all directions.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that TfL seem to be putting traffic flow over pedestrian safety. I witnessed someone on crutches balancing in the middle of a road with no island trying to get across whilst cars sped past, and parents with buggies struggling to cross this junction. The Mayor and TfL must take action now” commented Caroline.

Caroline has joined Liberal Democrats in Sutton, Paul Burstow MP, local Assembly candidate Abigail Lock and other candidates for the London elections out and about campaigning for a new councillor in Worcester Park.

“It has been great on my visits so far to talk about local issues such as the bid for town centre improvements and policing, as well as wider issues such as the Mayor’s increase in fares. Roger Roberts is a superb local candidate with all the experience needed to be a strong champion for Worcester Park” added Caroline.

Update: Liberal Democrat candidate Roger Roberts secured the seat in the Worcester Park ward with a total of 1367 votes, beating Conservative candidate Simon Densley who received 977 votes.