On 8th September Caroline visited London Fire Fighters who work at the Fire Station for the River Thames, based on Albert Embankment. Caroline and other members of the Fire Authority spent time talking to staff about their work at the station, before going out on a trip along part of the river, looking at how the boat can be used to help with rescue and fires on the river as well as supporting colleagues tackling fires on the ‘mainland’.
Commenting on the news that Mayor Johnson will not be committing further funding for the Cross River Tram proposals, Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesperson at the London Assembly, says: “Given how much work and money has already gone into this and given his transport strategy is still under review, it’s staggering the Mayor would say this when he’s not fully reviewed the case.
“The Transport committee will next week be reviewing the case and how the tram can be funded and will put this to the Mayor as a matter of urgency.”
Over many months, Lib Dem Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon received serious complaints about the dial-a-ride services provided by Transport for London. On 3rd September Caroline met Paul Blackwell, General Manager of dial-a-ride, to discuss the many issues that had been raised by dial-a-ride users and to hear about what TfL are doing and have put in place to improve the service.
“It is quite clear that the centralisation of the service has caused huge problems, particularly in certain parts of London, and that their computer system has had real problems. I am trying to get to the bottom of how much the computer system has cost Londoners” commented Caroline.
“I have requested further statistics, going back as far as possible, so that I can really get a clear picture of the maximum length of time users are having to hold on the telephone before speaking to someone. We also need to know how often dial-a-ride are unable to provide a service.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat deputy chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee, has made a fact finding visit to the now well-established Croydon Tramlink along with a delegation from the transport committee.
Caroline says: "We can learn a lot from the Croydon tram experience and this will ensure the Cross River Tram is even more successful."
Commenting on the plans for the new tram to link London across the river she says:
Liberal Democrat Assembly Member and vice-chair of the Assembly’s Transport Committee Caroline Pidgeon today accused London Mayor Boris Johnson of not doing enough to secure the future of vital transport upgrades in south London.
At the Mayor’s Question Time session in City Hall this morning, Caroline Pidgeon asked what guarantees the Mayor had got from the Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly MP, who he met last week, about the funding for the Cross River Tram project and the East London Line extension as well as other transport projects in London
On 24 June Caroline and other London Assembly members went on a site visit in Shoreditch to look at how work is progressing on the East London Line Extension Phase 1, and to look at the area where one of the new bridges had slipped during its installation near Liverpool Street station.
"The works were very impressive and progress to date seems to be fast and effective. I look forward to funding being agreed for the phase 2 of the East London Line joining up Camberwell, Peckham, Clapham High Street and Clapham Junction" said Caroline Pidgeon.
The Kennington Fete was a huge success once again in Cleaver Square. There were more stalls than ever and thanks to the weather, more people than ever! Well done to all involved.
Caroline particularly enjoyed the Tai Chi demonstration and the fantastic food stalls.
Boris Johnson has agreed to seek an urgent meeting with the Department for Transport over funding for Phase 2 of the East London Line extension, following questioning from Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon at Mayor’s Question Time this week.
The Mayor also stated his priorities to securing proper funding from Government for Crossrail and Tube upgrades.
Transport Spokesperson for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Caroline Pidgeon commented:
The future of the Cross River Tram is under threat, as revealed by questioning from London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon.
Boris Johnson stated that he will be reviewing the transport, economic and environmental implications of the Cross River Tram because there is no Government funding in place for the scheme.
Caroline Pidgeon, Transport Spokesperson for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, said:
London Assembly Liberal Democrats urged the Mayor to take action on the closure of 155 London Post Offices today.
There has been no word about how the Mayor will respond to today’s closures, despite focusing much of his campaign on protecting London’s Post Offices.
Commenting, Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member said:
“One of the Mayor’s strongest manifesto pledges was to stop the Government from axing local Post Offices. The Mayor needs to step-up and show that he is serious about protecting local Post Office branches.