London-wide + Lambeth stories

The Mayor hasn't listened properly to RV1 bus users

The Mayor has refused to reverse the cuts to the RV1 bus service, which have left users with just three buses per hour - despite having spent £1 million on two new hydrogen-powered buses for the route just weeks before!

Caroline Pidgeon expressed the disappointment and frustration of local passengers:

"I welcome TfL at least admitting that it was unacceptable to suddenly cut in half the frequency of the RV1 without giving advance notice to customers and stakeholders.

Save the RV1 bus

Caroline Pidgeon has joined local campaigners in Southwark in calling for the RV1 bus to run every 10 minutes again, after a recent cut left it running just three times an hour.

Caroline said:

“Before the Mayoral election Sadiq Khan promised that “as the son of a bus driver” he would be the champion of our buses.

After a year of dithering the Mayor finally does the right thing on the Garden Bridge

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on today’s announcement by the Mayor that the GLA will not be providing Mayoral guarantees for the Garden Bridge project, said:

“The Mayor has taken a year to make this decision and while he has been dithering more money has been wasted. Yet while it is regrettable that Sadiq Khan has taken so long to make a decision he has finally done the right thing following Dame Margaret Hodge's damning report.

Mayor cannot ignore the damning Garden Bridge report

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on Dame Margaret Hodge's highly critical report on the Garden Bridge, said:

“This is a totally damning report. It is a disgrace that key decisions on the Garden Bridge were driven by electoral cycles rather than any concern for value for money. The report also backs up the long standing finding of the London Assembly that the procurement processes were not open, fair or competitive.

Mayor's position on the Garden Bridge is illogical and indefensible

As the Mayor reiterated his support for the building of the Garden Bridge, Caroline Pidgeon highlighted the taxpayers' money that is still being sucked into the project.

Caroline told the London SE1 website:

"Sadiq Khan’s position on the Garden Bridge is illogical and indefensible.

"He claims to be committed to not providing any further public funding for the Garden Bridge yet at the same time he is allowing TfL to hand over another £10 million of public money.

South London train passengers have suffered enough – reverse cuts for access improvements

South London train passengers have suffered enough and should not face further delays to access improvements to train stations, is the message that Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon has sent to Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport.

Just before Christmas and so far unnoticed by most people the Government finally admitted that they were delaying the installation of lifts and other vital access improvements to 26 train stations across England and Wales, seven of them in south London alone.

Garden Bridge Trust accounts confirm why the project must now be cancelled

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the publication after much delay of the Garden Bridge Trust accounts. said:

“Even advocates of the Garden Bridge with rose-tinted glasses will find these accounts incredibly concerning.

“The Trust has finally admitted what most people have long expected was the case - that the final cost of the project is likely to increase substantially above the current £185 million predicted cost.

Campaigning to improve the A23 in Streatham

Caroline Pidgeon joined A23 campaigners in Streatham on Thursday 13th October to discuss a range of issues on Streatham High Road from dangerous driving by motorcyclists, to the need for safe pedestrian crossings and a much better environment in the area. Caroline then did a walkabout from the South Circular to Streatham Station to look first hand at concerns.

“It is clear that having a fast dual carriageway through the heart of Streatham is damaging to the local community. With some investment, particularly at the Streatham Hill end of the High Road and better planning for pedestrians and cyclists along its length, the High Road can be transformed to help strengthen the Streatham Community and green the area” commented Caroline.

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