London-wide + Haringey stories

Barking - Gospel Oak line needs to be electrified at last

Caroline recently joined Brian Paddick in travelling along the Barking to Gospel Oak Line. The visit which was at the invitation of the Barking - Gospel Oak Line User Group provided an opportunity for both Caroline and Brian Paddick to visit the stations along the line, as well as to find out about the level of overcrowding facing commuters.

Caroline is no stranger to the line having travelled the full length of the line back in 2009, again at the invitation of the line's user group.

After the recent visit Caroline said:
"While there have been clear improvements in the service since I last travelled the line with User Group members in 2009 it is clear further improvements are still needed. Above all we must keep up the pressure to ensure that the line is finally electrified. This would deliver better services for passengers as well as making a useful contribution to reducing air pollution."

Out and about in Hornsey and Wood Green

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Lynne Featherstone MP and Brian Paddick, Lib Dem London Mayoral Candidate out and about in Hornsey and Wood Green on Friday 14th October.

As well as meeting many local residents, Lynne Featherstone MP officially opened a green composting toilet at the wonderful Alexandra Palace allotments, alongside Allotments Chair and Lib Dem Councillor Bob Hare. (Read more about this project on Lynne's website.)

This was followed by wonderful home made cakes and tea.

“It was fantastic to talk to green fingered local residents who have these wonderful allotments. Their flowers, fruit and vegetables were amazing, as well as the chickens and bees kept on site. This amazing green oasis on a sunny day was simply beautiful” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Accessibility of London's transport network still falls short

The London Assembly Transport Committee has published a report in response to TfL’s new proposals on transport accessibility, showing that step-free access and other accessibility measures fall far short of the growing need for them, with half of bus stops, two thirds of rail stations, and three quarters of tube stations, not fully accessible to people with limited mobility.

The report argues for a range of measures, including low-cost steps such as allowing manual ramps, upgrading pedestrian crossings, providing better training for bus drivers, and improving online and paper maps.

Four years of fare misery under Boris Johnson

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on Boris Johnson’s fare proposals for 2012, which he confirmed today will be set at RPI plus 2 per cent, said:

“This is the fourth year of fare misery that Londoners will face under Boris Johnson.

“He has already hit Londoners hard by hiking up bus fares from 90 pence to £1.30 for a single fare since he arrived at City Hall. Today’s further rise will really hit hard many people, especially those on low incomes.

“Boris Johnson has failed to tackle effective action to tackle fare evasion or cut waste which is widespread throughout TfL. If the Mayor got on top of these issues there would be no need for such severe fare rises, especially for low income Londoners.

The Big Switch – Lib Dems call for London’s buses and taxis to go electric

A Big Switch to electric buses and taxis can cut London’s appalling air pollution, dramatically reduce premature deaths and ill health, and help meet climate change targets. The London Assembly Liberal Democrats have put forward an ambitious programme to convert high mileage buses, taxis and light goods vehicles to electric power by 2020. The plan was launched with Caroline Pidgeon AM and Mike Tuffrey AM with support from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP.

Assembly Transport Committee will review bank card payment plans

The London Assembly Transport Committee is reviewing TfL’s plans to make London the first city in the world where contactless payment is available on the entire transport network – starting with buses from spring next year.

The Committee will assess the benefits and the risks of using contactless bank cards to pay for travel, both for passengers and for Transport for London. TfL expects contactless cards will be cheaper to operate than Oyster, but the Committee will investigate security concerns that have been raised.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon AM, said:
“Transport for London has big plans for the future of ticketing in the capital, but any changes must be geared towards increasing convenience and value for passengers.

“Security is also an issue. The use of contactless bank cards will be seen as a step forward by some people, but others may be reluctant to flash their debit or credit card at a ticket gate.

“We will review the benefits and risks of TfL’s short and long-term ticketing plans to ensure they are right for London.”

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