Caroline's news

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Vice-Chair of the Transport Committee and Croydon Central Liberal Democrat Campaigner Stephen Dering launched a damning report today into overcrowding on the Croydon Tram network.

73% of respondents to the Liberal Democrat survey highlighted that overcrowding was unacceptable or so bad that they could not board the tram.

The Lib Dem survey included over 1,000 tram users at 12 tram stops across Croydon Central in the early mornings between 9th and 13th February.

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and vice chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, has revealed that the US Embassy is now owing Londoners £3 million in unpaid Congestion Charges and Penalty Charge Notices.

In response to questions from Caroline Pidgeon, the Mayor of London has confirmed that a month ago the amount owed by the US Embassy for unpaid Congestion Charges was just under £3 million (£2,941,500). In the last month the debt has almost certainly passed the £3 million figure.

Caroline Pidgeon said:
“The amount now owed by the US Embassy to Londoners is staggering. The money, far from being insignificant, would make a real difference: for example funding miles of new cycle routes or numerous improvements to pedestrian crossings.

While London Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) Chair, Boris Johnson, refused to travel on the overcrowded, TfL-run, London Overground Barking–Gospel Oak rail service when invited by London Assembly Chair Jennette Arnold, Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Vice-Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, was made of sterner stuff. She travelled with members of the Barking – Gospel Oak Line User Group (BGOLUG) on a crowded morning peak train from Barking last Friday (27th February) in order to see the overcrowded conditions for herself.

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, following her questions to the Mayor when he committed to look at an electric car hire scheme like the one which exists in Paris, said:

“It is great news that Boris Johnson is at least saying the right things on this issue. London really must follow Paris in adopting a public electric car hire scheme.

Islington campaigners want action from Transport for London on what they say are ludicrously short crossing times at a busy Upper Street junction, where Islington Park Street and Canonbury Lane join the main road.

Last Friday, Liberal Democrat campaigner Bridget Fox brought GLA Transport Vice-Chair Caroline Pidgeon to see for herself. And Caroline has pledged her help in raising the issue.

Bridget says, “We timed the green man at just 5.2 seconds. Perhaps TfL think that crossing the road in Islington should be an Olympic event?”