London-wide + Lambeth stories

Time to end the £4m scandal of Waterloo's empty platforms

Just days before the third anniversary of the closure of Waterloo International Terminal, the total cost of keeping them closed so far has been revealed as exceeding more than £4 million of taxpayer’s money.

Research by Caroline Pidgeon, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has also revealed that the numerous filming and other events at the empty platforms, such as the recent Railway Children production, have generated just a mere £61,852 over the same period.

Commenting on the situation, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“It is hard to think of anything more insulting to commuters than to get off a seriously overcrowded train at Waterloo station and to then be confronted by the scandalous sight of five empty train platforms. It is a further blow to discover that well over £4 million of taxpayers' money has already been spent simply to keep them boarded up.

2 November 2010 - 10:39pm

Remembrance Sunday tube closures are an insult to veterans

Commenting on Transport for London’s plans to close several tube lines serving central London on Remembrance Sunday - when only three tube lines will provide a "good" service - Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, said:

“Thousands of veterans and their families will wish to come into central London to take part in the Remembrance Sunday events at the Cenotaph.

“It is simply disgraceful that so many tube lines will be closed on this very important day, making access difficult if not impossible for veterans, their families and others wishing to honour our armed forces.”

“I know that many Londoners will wish to show their appreciation to veterans and honour those who have fallen in combat. The Mayor and Transport for London need to rethink their plans."

28 October 2010 - 11:19pm

Lambeth Police Borough Commander’s commendation ceremony

On Friday 15th October Caroline Pidgeon AM was the guest of honour at Lambeth Borough Commander Nick Ephgrave’s commendation ceremony, to recognise police officers, staff and members of the public who have gone beyond the call of duty to help keep Lambeth safe.

Police officers were recognised for their outstanding work in a number of cases, including the terrible Larkhall Park incident over a year ago.

25 October 2010 - 10:30pm

Remembrance at Kennington air raid memorial

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Lib Dem Cllr for Newington Ward Southwark, Cllr Catherine Bowman and Simon Hughes MP with the Mayor of Lambeth and local residents, and the Friends of Kennington Park to remember those who died in the air raid shelter 70 years ago. Cllr Bowman planted a rose bush, along with others, to remember those who died there in the war.

“The Friends of Kennington Park have done an amazing job for the park. First by fundraising and erecting the wonderful memorial, and secondly by this wonderful new planting in the park. It was a very special ceremony and it was wonderful to talk to some of the local residents such as Fred Armer who still remember what happened to this day” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

25 October 2010 - 10:26pm

TfL and unions must both put passengers first

Caroline Pidgeon has backed a recent House of Commosn motion tabled by Martin Horwood MP, the co-chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee on Transport, denouncing the recent tube strikes and highlighting the inconvenience suffered by commuters. Martin has criticised both the unions and the Mayor of London’s office for not doing enough to reach an agreement between all parties, and encouraged the Mayor of London to bring the current talks to a settlement.

20 October 2010 - 10:06pm

Mayor is hitting the lowest paid Londoners once again

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor’s fare package for 2011 said:

“The Mayor’s fare package is hitting hardest the Londoners who are on the lowest incomes.

“Last year the Mayor racked up Oyster pay as you go bus fares by an eye watering 20%. Now again he is hitting hard people in temporary or low income jobs who simply cannot afford a season ticket.

20 October 2010 - 9:59pm

Crossrail go-ahead is great news for all Londoners

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the announcement in today’s Comprehensive Spending Review that Crossrail will go ahead, said:

“This is good news for London and Londoners. When difficult short term decisions are having to be made in so many areas it is excellent news that long term plans to improve transport in London have not been compromised.

20 October 2010 - 9:58pm

Assembly urges Mayor to rethink Tube ticket office staff cuts

The London Assembly has called on the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) to rethink plans to cull up to 800 jobs on the Underground because of the adverse affects for passengers.

The Assembly believes the proposed cuts will damage customer service and leave passengers feeling less safe at stations where only one member of staff is present, particularly early in the morning and late at night.

Ticket office hours will be reduced, forcing people into long queues for ticket machines. This will especially disadvantage passengers with disabilities who find it difficult to use the machines and who rely on Underground staff for assistance when travelling by Tube.

20 October 2010 - 9:56pm

Jubilee line upgrade cost up to £12m

The Harrow Observer, the News Shopper and the Docklands24 papers all report on the revelation that the Jubilee line upgrade works have led to up to £12m in lost ticket revenue, as Boris Johnson admitted when responding to a question from Caroline Pidgeon.

In the News Shopper, Caroline says:

The upgrade of the Jubilee Line has turned out to be a case study in exactly how not to upgrade the tube.

There is now overwhelming evidence that carefully planned blockades of short sections of the tube for two or three weeks would be a far better way to upgrade the tube than the expensive fiasco of literally years and years of weekend closures.

You can read full coverage in the Harrow Observer, the News Shopper and at Docklands24.

16 October 2010 - 7:22pm

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