Caroline's news

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on the Department of Transport’s new consultation on the national bus concession in England, which proposes to remove almost £29 million of funding for London’s Freedom Pass, said:

“After Boris Johnson’s decision to hike bus fares by 20% Londoners now face a double whammy with this savage cut in funding for the Freedom Pass.

“London is the only major city in the country to be hit by these Government proposals. Hard up London council taxpayers, who are already facing a steep rise in fares, will now have to pay even more in their council tax to maintain London’s Freedom Pass.

“This is an outrageous proposal by the Labour Government who are insulting London’s pensioners, disabled people, as well as council taxpayers across the capital."

The new nature trail in Kennington Park was unveiled on Saturday 31st October by the Mayor of Lambeth.

On the borders of Lambeth and Southwark, the Park has been transformed thanks to the hard work of the Friends of Kennington Park.

Cllr Caroline Pidgeon joined Simon Hughes MP, Lib Dem Vassall Campaigner Matthew Hanney, Cllr Daphne Marchant and Cllr Rob Banks at the celebratory opening.

“Many congratulations to the Friends of Kennington Park who have worked tirelessly and sought funding from every possible source to ensure the park gets the investment it needs such as the wonderful play area, fitness trail and now the new nature trail,” commented Caroline Pidgeon.

Plans uncovered by London Councils show Government proposals to cut funding for the popular Freedom Pass - the scheme that gives older people and disabled residents free travel across London.

The government plans to seize £50 million from London to shore up funding gaps in other parts of England. Unlike other parts of the country that receive 100% of the costs of the free travel scheme, in London local council tax payers pay a third. These government cuts would reduce that support to 50%.

Responding to this morning's announcement that the Mayor of London will appoint a panel to monitor the progress of London Underground in managing the Metronet contracts for upgrading the Tube, Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly's Transport Committee said:

"It is appalling that Boris Johnson will be judge and jury in this case by being allowed to appoint all the members of a supposedly "independent" panel to monitor London Underground's work. These Panel members will have to be approved by the Transport Minister, but if in a few months the minister happens to be a Conservative, where's the independence in that?

Caroline joined local campaigners in Islington on Monday 26 October to support the launch of their access to Finsbury Park station campaign.

The Mayor of London has announced the deferral of many step free access schemes at various tube stations all over the capital including Finsbury Park in Islington.