London-wide + Newham stories

Permission to build Silvertown is not an obligation to build

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on Transport Secretary Chris Grayling's decision on the Silvertown Tunnel planning application, said:

"This is an appalling decision for Londoners. However permission to build Silvertown is not an obligation on the Mayor of London to go ahead with this expensive project.

"The Mayor, the new Deputy Mayor for Transport and TfL need to think again.

Newham tube lift chaos

Caroline Pidgeon is continuing to raise the issue of excessive lift closures in West Ham, East Ham and Canning Town tube stations - particularly East Ham, where the lifts closed nearly 200 times in 2016.

Caroline said:

“When tube lifts stop operating with no prior notice, the station is in effect closed for disabled people, parents with buggies and everyone else who relies on the operation of lifts.”

Mayor is putting roads before homes

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the Mayor's announcement that a partnership has been reached with the housing association L&Q to potentially deliver 20,000 new homes across the capital, said:

“This announcement is good news if it really does end up delivering 12,000 homes which are genuinely affordable.

“However, let’s not pretend that today’s announcement stands in isolation.

Network Rail and TfL need to explain further disruption for Gospel Oak-Barking passengers

As Transport for London announced that the London Overground line between Gospel Oak and Barking will now reopen to passengers on Monday 27 February, but that the installation of all of the overhead wires has not been completed on time and more work is required, Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, criticised the way the work has been executed and communicated:

“The fault for these delays rests with some appalling errors made by Network Rail, who have many questions to now answer.

The cable car should be affordable transport, not a luxury venue

As the operators of the Thames cable car applied for a licence to serve alcohol and host parties on board the cars, Caroline Pidgeon has called on the Mayor to instead make the cable car a successful form of transport for the public.

Caroline said:

“It seems that those running the cable car have the vision to run it like an expensive West End night club experience.

Caroline Pidgeon welcomes reprieve for the Woolwich Ferries

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson, commenting on this week’s decision by TfL to not scrap the Woolwich Ferry, but instead to purchase two new vessels to replace the three existing life-expired craft, said:

“I very much welcome this back down by TfL.

“In the rush to push ahead with the tolled Silvertown Tunnel and other road crossings TfL were willing to sacrifice the free Woolwich Ferry, which is not only popular locally but incredibly helpful for pedestrians and cyclists.

Anchor House visit in Newham

Caroline started her New Year with a visit to Anchor House in Newham, a residential and life skills centre for single homeless people. Based in the East End of London, Anchor House supports over 200 people each year, giving them so much more than just a roof over their heads. Their aim is to address the root causes of homelessness to ensure people never find themselves homeless again.

Out and about in Newham

Caroline Pidgeon joined Liberal Democrats from across London and local London Assembly candidate Elaine Bagshaw out campaigning for Sheree Miller in the Boleyn Ward by-election which took place on 3rd December.

Caroline and the team knocked on hundreds of doors and spoke to local people in and around West Ham’s Upton Park stadium, and heard first hand their serious concerns about the Labour Council and in particular around the need for more affordable housing.

West Ham's Olympic Stadium deal should be made fully public

As the London Assembly called unanimously for the terms of West Ham United's rental of the Olympic Stadium to be made public, Caroline Pidgeon commented:

“West Ham United Football Club knew full well that it would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act when it entered into an agreement with LLDC.

“No mayoral body should be hiding a deal over the use of a largely taxpayer-funded stadium.”

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