Campaigning articles

Out and about in Kentish Town

Caroline joined local Liberal Democrats, including Nick Russell, in Kentish Town last week, where there is a by-election for one of the local council seats. Nick was one of the Lib Dem Councillors for the area previously.

“It was really good knocking on doors and talking to local people about issues that they are worried about. Clearly people are concerned about the terrible state of the economy after years of a Labour Government spending beyond their means. However, education was an important issue for a number of residents as well as very local issues which Nick and the local Lib Dems are helping with” commented Caroline.

Ticket Office closures at South Woodford

Caroline Pidgeon AM recently joined Lib Dem Cllr Gwyneth Deakins at South Woodford station to highlight the closure of their ticket office by the Mayor of London.

Cllr Deakins and Caroline have been trying to find out the rationale for the cut in hours at the ticket office which will see South Woodfood ticket office on the Eastbound platform closed completely whilst on the Westbound platform it will be open for a couple of hours or so each day.

Pedestrians at risk from Tower Hamlets crossings

The East London Advertiser newspaper reports on Transport for London's admission, after pressure on Boris Johnson by London Assembly Lib Dem leader Caroline Pidgeon, that 115 pedestrian crossings across London do not meet government safety standards.

Caroline visited the dangerous Whitechapel Road crossing with Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Griffiths, who said:

It’s outrageous that vulnerable people in our borough are being put at risk by the refusal of the London Mayor to rectify this admitted problem more quickly.

The council should also really be lobbying harder on this.

You can read the full article here.

Transport for All’s protest against ticket office closures

Caroline joined members of Transport for All outside City Hall on Wednesday 8th September as they protested against the proposed cuts to staff at tube stations. The Mayor is looking to reduce ticket office opening hours by around 7500 hours every week across the capital, and up to 800 staff may lose their jobs.

“For many people with disabilities and those with other mobility issues, the idea of reduced staffing at stations is simply unacceptable. The suggestion that machines can substitute someone in a ticket office when, for example, you might have a problem with your Oyster card, or need a boundary ticket, is just wrong. I am very supportive of flexible staff who can be out in the ticket hall helping passengers and then go into the ticket office to issue a ticket and help with fares advice as needed. The Mayor and TfL need to rethink their plans now” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Caroline joins Enfield Lib Dems at Town Show

Caroline joined Enfield Liberal Democrats at their stall at the Enfield Town Show on Sunday 5th September. The local Lib Dem Team were out in force, collecting signatures against the closures of ticket offices, as well as getting people signing up for more information from the yes campaign for the referendum on voting reform in May.

“It was great to go to the Enfield Town Show once again and to talk to local residents about issues such as Ticket Office closures, the Freedom Pass and housing in the capital” commented Caroline.

Lib Dems highlight shameful safety risks of Earl's Court crossing

Earl's Court has been revealed as having one of London's most inaccessible and unsafe pedestrian crossings.

Research by Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, shows that a pedestrian crossing on Earl's Court Road (junction with Bramham Gardens and Earl's Court Square) is one of a handful in London that are not only breaking national safety standards over the minimum time for pedestrians to cross the road but is also failing to provide any assistance for blind people to cross the road.

Caroline, who obtained the information following a series of written questions to the Mayor of London, said:

"At present the Mayor of London seems to put the interests of pedestrians at the very bottom of his priorities. It is simply shameful that there remain pedestrian crossings in London that are so inaccessible and unsafe.

"The Mayor should ensure as a matter of urgency that every pedestrian crossing in London is safe and accessible for everyone."

Supporting Kensington & Chelsea Lib Dems in Earl's Court

Caroline visited Earl’s Court in Kensington and Chelsea on 10th August to support local Liberal Democrats including Linda Wade, who is standing in a council by-election in Earl’s Court ward.

Caroline joined Linda and local representatives of residents’ groups to discuss a range of issues including transport plans for Volleyball which will be hosted at Earl’s Court, some dangerous pedestrian crossings and the poor location of the Mayor’s new bike hire scheme.

"Naked" Islington streets will leave pedestrians exposed

Moves by London Mayor Boris Johnson to rip out the traffic lights at three locations in Islington have been condemned by the Liberal Democrats.

As part of the Mayor’s plans to speed up traffic flows around the city, he has announced the removal of 145 sets of traffic lights across London with more set to follow. The plans are currently out for consultation. The locations in Islington are:

  • Roman Way/Mackenzie Road (Holloway)

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