Transport articles
TfL admit King's Cross junction does not meet safety standards
4 February 2012 - 11:24am — AdministratorAs a result of questions asked to the Mayor by Caroline Pidgeon, Transport for London have admitted that a large junction at King's Cross does not meet their own safety standards, and refused to answer on why they have done nothing to comply with those standards.
You can read full coverage on the King's Cross Environment blog.
And on the same blog, you can read about Caroline's continued scrutiny and Boris Johnson's complacency on cycle safety issues.
Bow roundabout plans are just a first step
4 February 2012 - 10:36am — AdministratorSpeaking to the road.cc cycling website about TfL's initial plans to improve safety at Bow roundabout - a notoriously dangerous junction for cyclists - Caroline Pidgeon commented:
These improvements are only a first step - they must be followed through with a much bigger plan of work to improve safety and access for pedestrians as well.
TfL needs more than just tough talk on bus fare evasion
4 February 2012 - 10:22am — AdministratorAs the Mayorwatch website reports, the Mayor's "New Bus for London" shows signs that it will suffer from no less fare evasion than bendy buses did, with three separate doors.
Caroline Pidgeon commented:
Given that fare evasion stands at £63 million, it is time the Mayor stopped just talking tough on fare evasion and actually adopted some tough measures. His new London bus with its three sets of doors, will effectively be the new ‘free bus’ in London unless its conductors actually check people’s fares.
Talking transport in Waltham Forest
29 January 2012 - 5:36pm — Administrator
Caroline joined local Liberal Democrats in Cann Hall at a public meeting to discuss public transport in the area. Many residents came along to raise concerns from the impact of the Olympics on local streets to issues with bus routes 257 and 58.
The team also heard about problems with the Central Line and TfL’s attitude towards working with community groups to improve bus routes and services.
Caroline will be taking up a number of issues from the meeting.
Is this the most dangerous junction in London?
29 January 2012 - 5:35pm — Administrator
Caroline Pidgeon joined local Liberal Democrats including Lewisham and Greenwich Candidate John Russell and Leader Cllr Chris Maines out and about in Lewisham on Friday 27th January. The team were collecting signatures at the dangerous Courthill Road and Lewisham Way junction. Pedestrians literally take their lives into their own hands as they attempt to cross the roads at this junction with traffic in all directions.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that TfL seem to be putting traffic flow over pedestrian safety. I witnessed someone on crutches balancing in the middle of a road with no island trying to get across whilst cars sped past, and parents with buggies struggling to cross this junction. The Mayor and TfL must take action now” commented Caroline.
Helping traders on London Road
29 January 2012 - 5:28pm — Administrator
Caroline joined Sutton's Deputy Leader Cllr Ruth Dombey with local campaigner Roger Roberts to meet traders on London Road to discuss issues with short stay parking on the red route.
The bays by the shops are split between loading ones and 20 minutes parking. Many customers receive parking fines for parking in the wrong part by mistake and in fact local traders and residents would like to see all of the bays as joint loading and short term parking so that it is simple and clear for everyone.
Caroline has taken up these matters with Transport for London with a series of questions:
Carshalton Ponds success
29 January 2012 - 5:20pm — Administrator
At long last, after work with local Lib Dem Councillors in Carshalton and Tom Brake MP, Transport for London has started work to replace the railings around Carshalton Ponds. Caroline saw the problems first hand when she visited Carshalton and looked at a number of transport issues last summer.
Initially Transport for London were refusing to put any temporary bus stops in place whilst the works were taking place, but have since agreed and installed temporary stops to help local people continue to use buses whilst these major works take place.
Time for honesty over Jubilee line fiasco
28 January 2012 - 10:25pm — AdministratorAs news emerges that TfL has had to pay £25m to the company that owns Canary Wharf in compensation for the major delays to the Jubilee line upgrade, Caroline Pidgeon commented:
"Users of the Jubilee line have faced years of misery as the upgrade programme over-ran. To learn now that millions of pounds has been shelled out to Canary Wharf Group, while passengers have not been compensated, adds insult to injury.
"It is time the Mayor and TfL were honest with Londoners over the real cost of this long-standing fiasco. We are entitled to know the details of every penny that has been spent."
You can read full coverage in the Evening Standard and the Docklands & East London Advertiser.
Tiger's Head junction work to start this year
28 January 2012 - 10:16pm — AdministratorThe Catford Central blog reports that TfL will start work this year on improvements to the Tiger's Head junction - and highlights Caroline's questions to the Mayor that prompted TfL to finally take action.
TfL must not drag their feet over Bermondsey danger junction
25 January 2012 - 3:43pm — AdministratorCaroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group Leader, working alongside local MP Simon Hughes, is urging the Mayor to ensure that vital improvements are completed to the junction of Abbey Street and Tower Bridge Road within just a few months
After receiving a reply to a recent question (see below) Caroline Pidgeon has now written to the Mayor urging immediate action is taken and seeking assurances from Boris Johnson that the improvements will not be delayed by Transport for London (TfL) until after the Olympic Games.
Caroline Pidgeon said:
“TfL has a long record of dragging its feet when it comes to improving junctions for pedestrians and cyclists.
"It is vital that this does not take place with this junction. Some very basic safety improvements must be completed to this junction within just a few months – at the very latest. There can be no excuses for TfL delaying much needed safety improvements due to the Olympics.”
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