Caroline Pidgeon

High Speed Rail has been a key policy for the Liberal Democrats for many years, as part of our plans to reduce domestic flights and get people out of their cars and onto rail. The Government has recently consulted on its plans for High Speed 2. As Liberal Democrat Spokesperson, Caroline has responded to the consultation.

In addition, the London Assembly Transport Committee held a hearing in July to hear from all sides about High Speed 2 and its impact on transport in London, as well as carrying out site visits to Euston and Old Oak Common.

It is clear that should High Speed 2 go ahead, a lot of investment will be needed in London’s transport infrastructure, including a new tube line, if London is to cope with the potential increase in passengers.

Caroline Pidgeon AM went to the Compass Theatre in Ickenham on Saturday 12th February to speak to local Lib Dem members about the work of Lib Dem London Assembly Members and important issues for Londoners.

"It was a good opportunity for local members to raise questions with me and to discuss important issues for local people in Hillingdon. The impact of High Speed 2 was discussed, along with the possibility of connecting Uxbridge with the Central Line and the damaging impact of cutting Sergeants from Safer Neighbourhood Teams in the Borough", commented Caroline.

Caroline recently hosted a meeting with Lib Dem Campaigners Pete Dollimore, Martin Clark and Vic Stoneham about the extension to the H98 bus route in Hillingdon. In May Caroline presented a petition to the Mayor signed by local people who strongly supported an extension of the bus to West Ruislip Station.

Local Lib Dem Campaigner and Committee Member of Oak Farm Residents’ Association, Vic Stoneham, presented a detailed paper to the meeting on the 6th July providing a history to the bus route and the logic to extend the H98 through Hillingdon and West Ruislip stations.

The London Assembly Transport Committee has launched a new report, questioning the sums Londoners are paying for the Crossrail project, and criticising the way compulsory purchases of businesses and homes have been handled.

In the report, 'Light at the end of the tunnel', the Committee recognises the value of the £16bn rail link project, which will bring an extra 10% capacity on London’s overcrowded rail and Tube network, thousands of new jobs and a massive boost to the national economy.

However, it questions the fairness of Londoners contributing the majority of the funding, when 8 of the 37 stations are outside Greater London, and the project is expected to generate £22bn for central government over the next ten years. It also points out Crossrail's poor handling of displaced businesses and residents whose premises are compulsory purchased to make way for construction work, especially in Soho.