The proposed extension of the Bakerloo tube line should include two new routes through Southwark – one down the Old Kent Road, and another through Camberwell.
That’s the vision of Liberal Democrats in the borough, who are launching a new campaign to push the Mayor and Southwark Council into action on the issue.
Caroline Pidgeon AM joined thousands of other Londoners in a mass cycle ride on Saturday 17th May in support of the Space for Cycling Campaign organised by the London Cycling Campaign in the run up to the London borough elections.
Deputy Chair of the Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon AM has received a petition from College Ward Conservative Councillor Lewis Robinson calling for improvements for pedestrian safety at the notorious Dulwich Common junction with the South Circular.
Caroline has visited the site many times, including previously with Cllr Robinson and has supported his work calling for a “pedestrian phasing” onto the traffic lights at this busy junction. Many local residents believe they are “taking their life into their hands” using the existing crossing. The campaign is also supported by the Dulwich Society, which has over a thousand local members and in their latest journal said “The danger to pedestrians in this situation is very clear”.
Local Liberal Democrats held discussions with Transport for London at City Hall this week to demand action to tackle the daily gridlock on Jamaica Road and the Rotherhithe peninsula.
Lib Dem councillors and representatives from Simon Hughes MP's office attended the talks on Tuesday (12 November), hosted by Leader of the GLA Liberal Democrats Caroline Pidgeon AM.
TfL used the meeting to discuss early ideas for changes at the roundabout after on-going complaints about queues going into Rotherhithe tunnel blocking access.
Southwark Liberal Democrats’ campaign for new schools in the borough was given a boost this week with a visit from the Minister for Schools, David Laws MP.
The Liberal Democrat minister met parents and local councillors in East Dulwich to discuss the shortage of school places in Southwark and what the Government is doing to support new schools.
Liberal Democrats at three levels of government have come together to ask Transport for London to take urgent action on the gridlock at Rotherhithe roundabout.
Borough councillors, Bermondsey MP Simon Hughes and London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon AM have joined forces to call for an end to the heavy congestion around Rotherhithe Tunnel, including changes to the road layout and roundabout.
Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Simon Hughes MP and Cllr David Noakes on a visit to Southwark Fire Station on Wednesday 12th June to meet fire-fighters and to discuss the Mayor’s proposals to close Southwark as one of 12 fire stations under threat of closure across London.
“It was very useful to meet the local fire-fighters and hear their strong case for keeping Southwark open”.
Caroline and the Lib Dems on the Fire Authority and on the London Assembly have consistently voted against these cuts and closures. Local Lib Dem Councillors and Simon Hughes MP have also campaigned strongly against the cuts.
Caroline’s submission to the consultation can be found here.
The Mayor of London has confirmed that no funding at all has been set aside to develop the proposal of extending the Bakerloo Line through Southwark and Lewisham and towards Hayes in Bromley. This is despite the Mayor’s previous suggested claims that its development was a confirmed “deal”.
Commenting on the Mayor’s reply to a recent written question Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group said:
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.
Action to address the wider traffic problems at the entrance to Rotherhithe Tunnel and its approaching roads have been promised by key officials at Transport for London (TfL) at a meeting held this week at City Hall, with Caroline Pidgeon AM, Simon Hughes MP and local Southwark councillors.