The Mayor has refused a request to meet users of the Clipper service who are protesting against the cuts to evening services on the river. The Mayor failed brushed off the issue and would not agree to meet with interested parties as requested by Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, at today’s Mayor’s Question Time.
Commenting on the Mayor’s decision, Caroline Pidgeon said:
The Mayor of London today accepted that an investigation was needed to tackle the severe overcrowding that happens at Bank tube station and to consider bringing forward works to deal with overcrowding from 2021 following questioning by Caroline Pidgeon.
Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and Vice Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on proposals by Transport for London to implement parking charges in places where short term free parking is currently allowed, said:
"This is a short sighted measure, where the harm will far outweigh any gains. These proposals will raise little revenue but badly hit small shops and traders which rely on passing trade.
South West Trains’ decision to start equipping their ticket machines to sell Oyster PAYG top-up at their stations in the London area has been warmly welcomed by Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group.
Just weeks ago Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, told Caroline Pidgeon that South West Trains was the only train operating company in London refusing to sell Oyster tickets or provide Oyster top-ups for passengers. At the time the Mayor also stated that South West Trains did not even have any plans to start selling Oyster tickets in the near future.
South Bermondsey Liberal Democrat councillors Michael Bukola and Paul Kyriacou have hit out at the failures of Southwark Council and Transport for London to properly manage the chaos on Southwark Park Road. Further to traders' complaints about the effects on their business, local residents have also complained about the closure of the bus stop outside the post office. There is chaos as some buses stop and some do not. The nearest bus stop is a significant distance away. Councillors Bukola and Kyriacou have taken this up with the council and with Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon to ask for her assistance in dealing with TfL.
Commenting, Councillor Michael Bukola said "Not only is the work causing traffic jams and dangers to pedestrians, but the closed bus stop is creating real problems for local shoppers and residents. It is really frustrating that neither the council nor TfL have thought to provide a temporary bus stop meaning that local people have to walk a long way to the next bus stop.
Caroline Pidgeon AM was one of the guest speakers at the Greater London Pensioners' Conference in Camden on Saturday 6th November.
Caroline spoke about transport in London including issues with buses, pedestrian crossings and door to door services such as dial-a-ride.
Caroline answered many questions on a range of subjects including most on the Freedom Pass and its future.
Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Lib Dem Councillor David Hubber, and local residents in Surrey Docks, to protest about the cuts being made to evening services by Thames Clippers. (Read about the service cuts here.)
Supporting the protesters, Caroline said "The Mayor must look at how to support river transport across London".
The Fulham Chronicle reveals that the Mayor's "guided cycling" scheme over the summer attracted literally only one Hammersmith rider.
The Chronicle quotes Caroline Pidgeon:
Last year's Cycle Fridays were an expensive flop. Yet instead of learning any lessons the Mayor insisted on going ahead this year with guided commuter cycle rides before suddenly cancelling them half way through the summer.
There is much that needs to be done to encourage cycling across London, but guided commuter cycle rides are clearly not the answer. The Mayor should instead concentrate on expanding the bike hire scheme and making roads safer for cyclists.
Just days before the third anniversary of the closure of Waterloo International Terminal, the total cost of keeping them closed so far has been revealed as exceeding more than £4 million of taxpayer’s money.
Research by Caroline Pidgeon, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has also revealed that the numerous filming and other events at the empty platforms, such as the recent Railway Children production, have generated just a mere £61,852 over the same period.
Commenting on the situation, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“It is hard to think of anything more insulting to commuters than to get off a seriously overcrowded train at Waterloo station and to then be confronted by the scandalous sight of five empty train platforms. It is a further blow to discover that well over £4 million of taxpayers' money has already been spent simply to keep them boarded up.
Lib Dem London Assembly Leader Caroline Pidgeon has joined Brent Liberal Democrats in lobbying the Mayor about his proposed cuts to ticket office staffing at Tube stations in Brent - which has more underground stations than any borough other than Westminster.
Earlier in the year Liberal Democrats reacted to the news regarding which tube ticket offices were to shut or reduce opening hours with a vow to fight the proposals. Now more detail has emerged regarding the Brent stations which are on the Mayor's hit list.
Following a question to the Mayor from Caroline Pidgeon, it was revealed that the Bakerloo, Met line, Jubilee line and the Piccadilly line will all be affected by reduced opening hours and staffing levels for their ticket offices. Across Brent there will be a reduction of 10 station staff during peak hours, with Wembley Stadium’s nearest station – Wembley Park – especially hit. Liberal Democrats are concerned that reducing staff will lead to confusion and difficulties in the future when many visitors come to the area for the Olympics in just 22 months time.
