London-wide + Lambeth stories

Just why were cycle tracks dropped from the proposed Garden Bridge?

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on a report published in Architects Journal about lobbying for the Garden Bridge, based on correspondence between the Mayor and Joanna Lumley, said:

We now know that back in May 2012 the Mayor was lobbied to support the Garden Bridge and at this stage was specifically told by Joanna Lumley that the proposed bridge would have segregated cycle tracks.

The fact that a significant change in policy then took place to ban cyclists from using the bridge, apparently at the sole insistence of Joanna Lumley, raises significant questions about how the changing views of one individual can then lead to such an important revision in the architectural design of a major project.

Visitor Information Centres welcome and necessary at major stations

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has welcomed the commitment by TfL to review the potential provision of Visitor Information Centres at both London Bridge and Waterloo underground stations.

Following the closure of all tickets offices at all London Underground stations the provision of new Visitor Information Centres is planned for just a few locations across London, such as Victoria, King’s Cross St Pancras and Paddington.

Vital questions over funding and operation of the Garden Bridge still remain

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the decision by the Mayor of London’s office to give planning permission for the Garden Bridge:

“There can be no denying that numerous questions still remain over the long term maintenance funding of the bridge and who will ultimately be picking up the bill.

“Numerous important issues also remain about the public access to the bridge.

Concerns about the Garden Bridge

In a Guardian article by Rowan Moore, Caroline Pidgeon discusses some concerns about the project to build a Garden Bridge from Temple to the South Bank:

These rapid changes of position caused Caroline Pidgeon, the leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, to spot a pattern. The mayor’s statements on the bridge had been “totally false, just as with his past claims about the funding of the cycle hire scheme and the Thames cable car”. ...

Silencing the Waterloo Tannoy will make it inaccessible to the blind

As South West Trains plans a trial of silencing Tannoy announcements at Waterloo station, Caroline Pidgeon expressed her strong opposition to a plan that will make travel much harder for passengers with visual disabilities.

“This is one of the most absurd decisions by a train company I have ever come across. Visual and audible announcements are vital... and it would be a scandal if such an important station as Waterloo was made inaccessible to any of its passengers.”

Campaigning in Streatham

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Streatham Liberal Democrats out and about on Thursday 8th May, talking to local residents about their housing service and other local concerns.

Caroline joined Cllr Alex Davies, Cllr Judy Best and Cllr Daphne Marchant meeting local people and talking about the team's record of action and promise of more for the local area.

Garden Bridge must be a safe cycling route across the Thames

As Boris Johnson admitted he "doesn't quite know what the point of the Garden Bridge is", London Assembly Lib Dem leader Caroline Pidgeon AM commented:

“This is the latest strange comment by the Mayor over the Garden Bridge.

“As the Mayor has agreed to spend at least £30 million of London taxpayers' money on this project he should at least ensure that it operates like a proper bridge.

Find alternatives to stop Jubilee Line closures dragging into 2015

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on reports today that Transport for London plan to shut the Jubilee Line for more than 30 days through central London due to acidic water eating into the tunnels walls, said:

"Instead of over 18 months of repeated weekend and holiday closures I question whether one intensive block closure perhaps in August would be both cheaper and less disruptive.

Bike hire expansion is welcome, but its record must improve

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the news that construction work has now started on the south west expansion of the bike hire scheme, said:

“It is great news that by Christmas the bike hire scheme will be operating in new areas in Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth and Kensington and Chelsea.

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