London-wide + Lewisham stories

A two-branch extension of the Bakerloo Line is vital for south east London

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has responded to Transport for London’s consultation on the extension of the Bakerloo Line highlighting the vital need for a two-branch extension of the line.

Welcoming the consultation, Caroline Pidgeon said:

“I am delighted that this consultation has received so much attention and that due to the active work of MPs such as Simon Hughes so many people have responded. It is vital that the voices of people from South East London are heard.

Catford danger junction finally has a safe crossing

The Tiger's Head junction in Catford will finally see a pedestrian crossing and other road safety measures - after several years of campaigning by local residents and Lib Dems. Caroline Pidgeon has been asking questions and pushing for action for several years on this issue.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Lewisham East Julia Fletcher commented:

"I'm delighted that the pedestrian safety improvements at the Tiger's Head junction will finally go ahead after years of questions and prompting from Caroline Pidgeon, previous Lib Dem assembly members and Lewisham councillors.

"Just last week I put in a public question on this issue to chase progress. It doesn't reflect at all well on successive mayors of London that it has taken so long to sort out this dangerous junction."

Public transport investment must be top priority for East London

A Transport for London consultation on new river crossings in east London, which closes this week, is far too centred around motorists and completely overlooks the need for significant improvements in public transport in south east London, is the key message made by Caroline Pidgeon AM, in the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group’s consultation response.

South-east London needs Bakerloo extension to unleash its potential

As a public consultation began on plans to extend the Bakerloo line to Old Kent Road, Catford, Beckenham and Bromley, Caroline Pidgeon expressed her strong support for the extension and commented:

“Extending the Tube into Southwark, Lewisham and Bromley would unleash huge economic opportunities.

“After decades of being left behind it is time south-east London was given the transport links it needs to truly unleash its potential.”

Campaigning in Lewisham

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined local Lib Dem campaigners including Mayoral candidate Duwayne Brooks and local Lib Dem councillor Julia Fletcher out and about talking to local residents on Saturday 12th April.

The team knocked on doors talking to local residents in Downham ward, hearing their concerns with the Labour run borough including about the cost of parking and street cleaning issues.

Security at closed fire stations will cost £138,000 over two years

Figures obtained by Caroline Pidgeon have shown that the cost of security at Woolwich and Downham fire stations - which were closed in January as part of the Mayor's fire service cuts - will total £138,000 until the end of 2015.

Lewisham Lib Dem councillor Julia Fletcher commented:

“Downham fire station should never have closed. We were told the reason it and other stations across London had to go was to save money, yet now the taxpayer has to fork out £69,000 just to protect an empty building.”

The scandal of London’s missing Looked After Children is now painfully clear

The high number of children who go missing for 24 hours or more from the care of London local authorities has been revealed in the report Looked After Children: Missing From Care, published today by Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group.

Through freedom of information requests made to every London borough, detailed information has been gathered showing that in every part of London there is a serious problem with runaway children who are in the legal care of local authorities.

Common sense over bikes on the DLR is welcome news

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on today’s announcement that Transport for London, will permanently permit bicycles on off-peak Docklands Light Railway trains said:

“This is an incredibly welcome decision. I am not surprised at all that the recent trial allowing non-folding bicycles on the DLR has been a success as there was no real argument to support the total prohibition of bikes being allowed on the DLR.

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