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.
In an article for the London Says website, Caroline Pidgeon argues that positive moves are being made in devolving power from national government to London, but that much more remains to be done:
The new Government made it clear that they will devolve more responsibilities to London Government – the Mayor, Assembly and Boroughs – if there was agreement on a package of measures. I am pleased to say we collectively rose to the challenge and our submission was on Eric Pickles’ desk before the summer. ...
Yet while all these developments are hugely welcome, the Government’s legislation must ensure transparency and democratic accountability are improved at all levels. ...
Trust is needed in setting local and regional government free from the ties of Whitehall. A good start has been made, but we now need to fully deliver on this vital agenda of truly devolving power downwards and saying goodbye to Whitehall always knowing best.
You can read the full article here.
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.
