Transport articles

Caroline backs Clapham Old Town residents' concerns over TfL plans

Caroline Pidgeon AM and Cllr Ashley Lumsden met local residents in Clapham Old Town to discuss their concerns with part of the Council and TfL's plans for the local environment.

Part of the plans would see a massive wall of bus stands next to local residents' homes, blocking the view of the common and making it dangerous for families to cross the road to the paddling pool and common.

"I have written to Peter Hendy, the Commissioner for Transport for London, asking him to review the plans. A small change moving the bus stands to Rookery Road in the Common would make such a difference, as well as some other tiny tweaks. This would ensure the community fully back the scheme and do not lose out from this £3million investment" commented Caroline.

26 February 2011 - 12:36am

New Overground link set to open from Dalston to Highbury & Islington

Caroline went on a special preview tour of the new London overground link from Dalston Junction to Highbury and Islington on Thursday 17th February.

The new link is all part of the upgrade to the London Overground service run by TfL. When all the works are complete it will provide a wonderful orbital rail service for London.

20 February 2011 - 9:09pm

Thameslink upgrade promises fast reliable service

The BBC website has an article on the major Thameslink upgrade project - pointing out that although it is less prominent than Crossrail, it will deliver huge benefits to transport in and around London.

Caroline Pidgeon told the BBC:

It will be a really fast and reliable turn-up-and-go rail service ... Once it's up-and-running, people will say, 'Oh my God, this is amazing.'

20 February 2011 - 5:22pm

Greenwich Foot Tunnel closed without warning

The local 853 blog has an an article on the sudden closure by Greenwich Council of the foot tunnel to the Isle of Dogs.

The blog quotes Caroline Pidgeon's letter expressing her concern to the leader of Greenwich Council:

The foot tunnel is an absolutely key component in the London cycle and pedestrian network… the closure of the tunnel has a significant effect on people’s ability to cross the river.

Many people are angry that the tunnel has been closed with no warning because this often compels people to use more dangerous routes, such as the Rotherhithe Tunnel, and gives people no time or warning to plan alternative, safer routes to their destination.

19 February 2011 - 10:34pm

Celebrate Oyster takeup on rail services - but tackle passenger ripoffs

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on figures published today by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and TfL showing that more than two million journeys a week are now being made using Oyster Pay As You Go on London’s commuter rail services, said:

“While celebrating the increased take up of Oyster on rail travel both the Mayor and the train operating companies are ignoring the fact that too many train users are being ripped off by being overcharged when they use Oyster Pay As You Go.

8 February 2011 - 11:08pm

Savage cuts in Tube ticket office hours will impact passengers

On the first day of reduced ticket office opening hours affecting commuters across London, Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commented:

"In 2008 Boris Johnson promised in his election manifesto to keep ticket offices on the Tube network open. Now in 2011 he is closing the very offices he promised to save. The reduction in opening hours means that ticket offices are now effectively closed for many people. Is that really offering passengers a better service?"

8 February 2011 - 11:06pm

Embassy Congestion Charge arrears about to hit £50m

The total level of unpaid Congestion Charge by embassies based in London will soar through the £50 million figure this month predicts Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group.

At the start of the year £48.7 million was owed to Londoners by embassies. Transport for London (TfL) have now confirmed that as of yesterday the figure had reached £49.4 million and that later this month the total unpaid bill will exceed £50 million.

Caroline Pidgeon commented:

“The amount in unpaid Congestion Charges and Penalty Charge Notices owed by embassies is now so large that it could pay for more than 260 new buses on London’s streets, or fund the significant expansion of the cycle hire scheme, or alternatively reduce fare rises.

“It is disgraceful that £50 million is now being denied to Londoners by embassies that dodge paying the Congestion Charge. The small minority of embassies that think it is acceptable to evade paying the Congestion Charge are insulting each and every Londoner.

4 February 2011 - 10:38pm

Scrap free travel for TfL families and flatmates

The Evening Standard reports on the pressure on the Mayor from the London Assembly to restrict free travel privileges to TfL employees themselves - not to anyone that they share an address with.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the London Assembly Lib Dems, is quoted:

Staff should retain rights to free travel, but it costs £30 million a year to allow TfL employees to nominate a friend or family member to get free travel. This money could go towards holding down fares. It is madness that friends, family members and even lodgers of TfL staff can get free travel.

You can read the full article here.

3 February 2011 - 11:41pm

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