London-wide + Islington stories

Out and about in Islington

Caroline joined Assembly Candidate Bridget Fox and local Lib Dem Councillors Terry Stacy, Tracy Ismail, David Wilson and other Lib Dem campaigners out and about in Islington.

“We had a fantastic reception on the doors, even though we got soaked through” commented Caroline

Canvassing in Islington

Caroline joined a huge team of activists out in the sun on Sunday knocking on doors in Islington. The team included Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP and Bridget Fox.

“We had a great reception from local people and enjoyed the support of a team of Romanian Liberal Party members as well as many Islington and London activists” commented Caroline.

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."

Sneak preview of the new King's Cross concourse

Caroline was joined by Lib Dem London Assembly Candidates at the new King’s Cross to have a sneak preview and briefing on London rail matters with Network Rail.

“It was fantastic to see the wonderful new roof and design at King’s Cross and to hear about the other exciting rail projects such as Thameslink and station upgrades” commented Caroline.

Mayor still will not give timetable for dangerous junction review

The King's Cross Environment blog covers this week's Mayor's Question Time - where under questioning from Lib Dem London Assembly Leader Caroline Pidgeon, Boris Johnson would give no commitment to a timetable for reviewing the most dangerous junctions for cyclists.

Blogger William Perrin comments:

The Mayor (and also Chair of TfL) is questioned by Caroline Pidgeon AM about his sudden conversion to cycle safety, from 40 minutes in. Caroline Pidgeon AM gently mocks the Mayor’s giant flip flop on a review. But despite repeated questioning the Mayor gives no timetable for his review of dangerous junctions. At 43:30 she tried to pin the Mayor down to specific actions, timetables and commitments from his panicky review – but the Mayor just dodges sideways refusing to give any hints on a time table or guarantees that work will happen following the review.

Read the full article here.

And you can watch the webcast of Mayor's Question Time here on the London Assembly website - Caroline Pidgeon's questions start at around 43:30.

TfL admit King's Cross junction does not meet safety standards

As a result of questions asked to the Mayor by Caroline Pidgeon, Transport for London have admitted that a large junction at King's Cross does not meet their own safety standards, and refused to answer on why they have done nothing to comply with those standards.

You can read full coverage on the King's Cross Environment blog.

And on the same blog, you can read about Caroline's continued scrutiny and Boris Johnson's complacency on cycle safety issues.

Croydon pedestrian crossings not safe for visually impaired people

The Inside Croydon blog reports that - as discovered from figures that Caroline Pidgeon forced Transport for London to publish - seven pedestrian crossings in the borough do not meet the minimum requirements for visually impaired people to be safe:

  • Brighton Road at Old Lodge Lane fire station
  • On the Purley Way at Epsom Road
  • Brighton Road at Bartlett Street and Nottingham Road
  • St James Road and Sydenham Road
  • Whitehorse Road by St James Road and Spurgeons Bridge
  • Purley Way at Foxley Lane and Pampisford Road

Scrutinising the Mayor on cycling safety

2011 has seen far too many cycle accidents and deaths on our roads.

Caroline continues to campaign for safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians and her most recent questions to the Mayor which have been answered just before Christmas can be seen below.

For more information about cycling issues across London do also take a look at the excellent London Cycling Campaign website.

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