London-wide + Richmond stories

Campaigning in Kew

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Assembly candidates Merlene Emerson and Rosina Robson and local members at a street stall in Kew on 6th February. The team talked to local residents about concerns from Heathrow expansion to transport and affordable housing.

Crossrail 2 - the right thing for London, but we have to do it right

Caroline has responded to Transport for London’s recent consultation on Crossrail 2. You can see a full copy of her response here.

Caroline sets out the long standing support of London Assembly Liberal Democrats for Crossrail. Her consultation response also reiterates the vital importance of every station on the route, from the first day of operation, providing step-free access.

Decision on Heathrow is needed now

Commenting on reports of a potential six month delay on a decision over Heathrow, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon said:

"Londoners opposed to expansion are fed up of being lied to. A decision is needed now.

“Heathrow is not, and never will be, the place to expand airport capacity and the sooner this Tory government accepts that, the sooner we can get on with developing a sensible aviation policy for the UK."

Mayor must now come clean over plans for Night Buses

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson, commenting on the announcement that the launch of the Night Tube has been deferred, said:

"This is a big climb down for the Mayor. His retreat is entirely due to his error in setting a specific start date before all the staffing arrangements and other issues had been settled.

"By pushing for a set start date the Mayor strengthened the union’s negotiating position.

One Hour Bus Ticket: a long-standing focus for Caroline and the Lib Dems

Dave Hill's London blog in the Guardian looks at the proposal by potential Labour mayoral candidate Christian Wolmar for a bus ticket valid over multiple journeys for an hour - and points out that this has been a long-standing policy of Caroline Pidgeon and the London Assembly Liberal Democrats:

Upsurge in lift problems at Tube stations harms freedom to travel

Caroline Pidgeon's questions to the Mayor have revealed that between 2013 and 2014, the hours lost due to lift closures on the Tube have risen by 50%, harming the freedom to travel of disabled people and those who depend on step-free access. The main reason was the lack of available trained staff to operate lifts.

Caroline said:

Campaigning in the Hampton Wick by-election

Caroline Pidgeon AM was delighted to join her Assembly colleague Cllr Stephen Knight AM and other local Lib Dems out campaigning in Hampton Wick ward in Twickenham in the recent by-election.

The result took the previously safe Conservative ward and new Lib Dem Cllr Geraldine Locke was elected with 43% of the vote.

Third Heathrow runway proposal - a long delayed report with outdated arguments

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the support for a third Heathrow runway by the Davies airport commission, said:

“This much delayed report simply repeats many outdated arguments in opting for a third Heathrow runway.

“However many conditions are set ultimately a third Heathrow runway will have devastating consequences for a large section of London in terms of noise and increased air pollution.

Pages