London-wide + Islington stories

In memory of 16 cyclists

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined London Cycling Campaign, cyclists, pedestrians and family members of the 16 cyclists who have died on London’s roads in 2011 at a vigil at King’s Cross on Tuesday 20th December.

Mark Ames, who writes the ibikelondon blog, spoke of the tragic cycle deaths and serious collisions on our roads as well as those pedestrians who have been injured or died.

A minute’s silence was held when the hundreds of people present remembered:
Ellie Carey, 22
Svitlana Tereschenko, 34
Brian Dorling, 58
Deep Lee, 24
Sam Harding, 25
Johannah Bailey, 49
Paul McGreal, 44
Michael Evans, 62
Thomas Stone, 13
Naoko Miyazaki, 35
Gavin Taylor, 40
Paula Jurek, 20
David Poblet, 20
Tom Barrett, 44
Daniel Cox, 28
Gary Mason, 48

23 December 2011 - 8:18pm

Brian Paddick and Caroline Pidgeon listen to cyclists at King’s Cross

London Liberal Democrat Mayoral Candidate Brian Paddick and London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon visited a number of dangerous junctions around King’s Cross, and met with the Camden Cycling Campaign group to discuss cycle and pedestrian safety in the area. The meeting came just days after a cyclist was killed at Tower Bridge Road, bringing the number killed on London’s roads this year to 16.

9 December 2011 - 10:49pm

Make cycling safe: enough is enough

Caroline Pidgeon wrote this article in the 28th October 2011 edition of Lib Dem News:

Min Joo Lee is probably not a name you will recognise. However the death of this 24-year Korean fashion student could well be starting a revolution in cycling in London and possibly further afield.

Incredibly she is the 13th person to die on London’s roads this year. In 2010 there were “just” 10 deaths. When this year’s death toll for cyclists already surpasses the figure for the last year, we should all be very worried.

31 October 2011 - 9:36pm

Accessibility of London's transport network still falls short

The London Assembly Transport Committee has published a report in response to TfL’s new proposals on transport accessibility, showing that step-free access and other accessibility measures fall far short of the growing need for them, with half of bus stops, two thirds of rail stations, and three quarters of tube stations, not fully accessible to people with limited mobility.

The report argues for a range of measures, including low-cost steps such as allowing manual ramps, upgrading pedestrian crossings, providing better training for bus drivers, and improving online and paper maps.

21 October 2011 - 7:53pm

Caroline puts pressure on TfL over King's Cross cycling safety

The BBC reports on Caroline Pidgeon's questions challenging the Mayor over the continued unsafe conditions for cyclists around King's Cross.

The report points out that despite TfL's claims to be actively working on improvements for all road users, the Mayor was asked about this by Caroline in September 2010 and would not commit to any action:

Question by Caroline Pidgeon on 15 September 2010

You have acknowledged that safety on the King's Cross one-way system through the boroughs of Camden and Islington needs addressing. Pursuant to your answers to MQs (1053/2010), (547/2010) and (2701/2009), can you tell me:

a) What has been the result, if any, of your discussions about "speed issues" on the King's Cross one-way system with the London Borough of Islington?

b) Whether a new design for the Caledonian Road/Pentonville Road junction is now ready, and whether this will improve road safety for pedestrians?

20 October 2011 - 11:12pm

Four years of fare misery under Boris Johnson

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on Boris Johnson’s fare proposals for 2012, which he confirmed today will be set at RPI plus 2 per cent, said:

“This is the fourth year of fare misery that Londoners will face under Boris Johnson.

“He has already hit Londoners hard by hiking up bus fares from 90 pence to £1.30 for a single fare since he arrived at City Hall. Today’s further rise will really hit hard many people, especially those on low incomes.

“Boris Johnson has failed to tackle effective action to tackle fare evasion or cut waste which is widespread throughout TfL. If the Mayor got on top of these issues there would be no need for such severe fare rises, especially for low income Londoners.

14 September 2011 - 10:12pm

The Big Switch – Lib Dems call for London’s buses and taxis to go electric

A Big Switch to electric buses and taxis can cut London’s appalling air pollution, dramatically reduce premature deaths and ill health, and help meet climate change targets. The London Assembly Liberal Democrats have put forward an ambitious programme to convert high mileage buses, taxis and light goods vehicles to electric power by 2020. The plan was launched with Caroline Pidgeon AM and Mike Tuffrey AM with support from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP.

4 August 2011 - 8:58pm

Out and about in Islington

Caroline Pidgeon AM has joined David Sant and Islington Liberal Democrats out and about in the St Peter’s ward by-election.

Caroline has been out campaigning with David Sant and London Assembly candidate Bridget Fox talking to local residents to hear the issues that they are concerned about in their area.

“It is quite clear that local residents want a strong local champion to represent them at the town hall. David Sant is a governor at North Community School and is the only candidate to live in the ward. He is just the person St Peter’s ward needs” commented Caroline.

2 August 2011 - 10:34pm

Assembly Transport Committee will review bank card payment plans

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.”

19 July 2011 - 9:33pm

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