Caroline's news

Commenting on the Cross River Tram plans at the Liberal Democrats' autumn conference in Bournemouth, Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat's transport spokesperson at the London Assembly, says:
"As to what Boris is going to do, that is a very good question. Boris has said he is interested in the Cross River Tram and we have that on record.

"Messages coming out of his office have been very mixed but we need to keep it in his transport strategy and we're lobbying very, very hard on that."

Commenting on Mayor Johnson’s pledge to intervene on the issue of the possible closure of South West Trains’ ticket offices, Caroline Pidgeon AM, the transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat Group at the London Assembly, says: “I’m extremely disappointed to see Mayor Johnson hasn’t personally got involved in this matter when he quite clearly said he would.

“Getting his minions at TfL to do his work simply doesn’t have the same impact as if the Mayor of London gets involved. I want to see the Mayor sticking to his promises.”

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat group at the London Assembly, has welcomed the Mayor’s continued commitment to the Crossrail scheme and its funding.

“It’s good to see the Mayor’s still committed to this project and is fully planning to raise the necessary funds as had been stated.

“There’d been mutterings the funding could be in jeopardy but the Mayor’s re-affirmed the funding plans are still in place and it’s all on schedule too.”

Commenting on the news that TfL’s journey planner website is being upgraded to show walking options, Caroline Pidgeon, the transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat Group at the London Assembly, says: “If we want to encourage people to be greener and healthier we need to show quick walking alternatives. And especially, given the current economic situation, some routes are quicker to walk and also save money." At this month’s Mayor’s Question Time Caroline asked if TfL’s website could be amended to which the Mayor replied:

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesperson at the London Assembly, joined forces with colleagues in Haringey this week to help launch a campaign for residents to be able to use their pay-as-you-go Oyster cards on local trains.

On Wednesday Caroline met up with Lynne Featherstone MP and Alexandra by-election candidate Nigel Scott at Alexandra Palace station.

Liberal Democrats are campaigning for Transport for London (TfL) and First Capital Connect to extend pay-as-you-go Oyster card travel to Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace and Bowes Park stations.

Caroline says: “It's encouraging we've finally heard there's movements in the right direction on this but what we need now is a commitment on an exact time frame to ensure PAYG is introduced on this line as soon as possible."