Campaigning articles

Enfield rail travellers petition for Oyster Pay As You Go

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Enfield Liberal Democrats at the Enfield Town Show on Saturday 5th September. The local Lib Dems are campaigning hard to persuade the Mayor of London, to sort out the derelict homes on TfL land on the North Circular.

“So many people stopped by the stall for a chat and to sign our petition, as well as to support our One Hour Bus ticket campaign” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

She also highlighted the local rail travellers' petition to have pay-as-you-go Oyster cards accepted at Enfield’s overground stations.

Caroline said:

In his transport manifesto, the Mayor stressed the importance of holding an 'emergency' train summit with the train operating companies (TOCs) to ensure that Oyster was available at every train station.

One year later the harsh reality is that no train summit has been called and every promise the Mayor has made about Oyster extension has been delayed again and again. Quite frankly Boris Johnson has seen more train delays than Reggie Perrin.

9 September 2009 - 9:32pm

Caroline joins Camden Lib Dems' 20mph campaign

Caroline Pidgeon, the chair of the London Assembly transport committee, came to the launch of a Liberal Democrat campaign in Camden to introduce 20mph limits on streets across the wards of King’s Cross and Bloomsbury.

Caroline said: “Lib Dems London-wide are pushing for greater action on speeding than either the current or previous London mayors have been prepared to take.”

Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner for Holborn and St Pancras Jo Shaw, and King’s Cross Lib Dems, have welcomed the fact that money will be spent on improving the dangerous junction on Marchmont Street. But they said that pedestrians deserve to feel safe everywhere.

Jo Shaw commented: “Residents across the south of Camden have told that they feel unsafe and uncomfortable walking around the streets of their own neighbourhood.

“A 20mph limit for our streets would at a stroke make the traffic less intimidating, less noisy and, most importantly, unlikely to hurt anybody.”

9 September 2009 - 8:52pm

Caroline Pidgeon supports councillors fighting for Blackheath train services

London Assembly Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM led a delegation of Greenwich Liberal Democrat councillors to lobby South East Trains Public Affairs Manager Mike Gibson about plans to cut commuter train services at Blackheath Station.

Caroline Pidgeon, who is Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee commented: “It does seem extraordinary that with more and more passengers using rail to get to work, a train operator is withdrawing commuter trains.”

4 September 2009 - 8:44pm

Lib Dems back bikers faced with foot tunnel closure

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, has called on Greenwich Council Leader Chris Roberts to provide an alternative river crossing for hundreds of cyclists when the Greenwich Foot Tunnel closes for up to 18 months for renovation. Cyclists and pedestrians are also threatened with the closure of the 'sister' Woolwich Foot Tunnel at the same time.

Cllr Pidgeon met a group of cyclists at the Cutty Sark outside the south entrance to the Foot Tunnel with Liberal Democrat group leader on Greenwich Council Brian Woodcraft, Cllr Paul Webbewood, and Lib Dem councillors from Lewisham.

After using the lift and inspecting the Tunnel, Caroline Pidgeon said:
"Chris Roberts and Boris Johnson cannot just leave hundreds of cyclists who depend on the Foot Tunnel to get to work every day without an alternative. They face either biking many extra miles to cross Tower Bridge or to use the Woolwich Ferry. The Blackwall and Rotherhithe Tunnels are too dangerous for cyclists and DLR rules do not permit bikes. The Council and the Mayor must find a workable alternative."

2 September 2009 - 10:31pm

Campaigning to ensure Green Lane remains green - and safe

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, is pushing for a permanent solution to be found to the unsafe junction of Green Lane and High Road which has been plagued for a long time by overgrown shrubbery.

Caroline recently visited the junction at the request of Liberal Democrat Councillors Roger Giess and Julian Heather.

Caroline said:
“The problem with this corner is that the shrubbery keeps growing and makes the junction unsafe as it blocks the views for motorists turning into Green Lane from the High Road. At the same time pedestrians crossing Green Lane have a reduced view of cars turning into the road, making the junction unsafe for them as well."

18 August 2009 - 7:55pm

Caroline calls for supermarket trolley action

Newington Lib Dem councillor Caroline Pidgeon is calling on Morrisons supermarket to remove a trolley park and railings which is obstructing the pavement outside its Walworth Road store.

The trolley park has recently been constructed without planning permission from Southwark Council. Cllr Pidgeon has written to the supermarket chain’s Chief Executive, asking for the trolley park to be removed before action is taken against it.

11 August 2009 - 8:57pm

Mayor's Question Time for July

July's Mayor's Questions saw Caroline raise a number of issues:

  • The extension of the number 63 bus route to Honor Oak Park Station, to link in with the East London Line Extension which will open next year
  • Information on the West London Line
  • Road works at Richmond Circus
  • Philosophy on the Underground
  • Planning closures of the London Overground service between Gospel Oak and Stratford
  • Issues between EDF and TfL about removing redundant lamp post columns
6 August 2009 - 9:36pm

Caroline supports Chessington families in school bus campaign

Transport for London have promised to assess the case for a new school bus between Hinchley Wood School and Chessington following a recent meeting with local parents Steve Griffiths and Steph Narramore, Cllr Mary Reid, Ed Davey MP and Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee.

At the meeting held on Wednesday, detailed evidence was presented to Transport for London (TfL) showing that the increase in pupils attending the school from Chessington clearly justifies a dedicated school bus. Using a map showing where pupils live, evidence was shown that already about 140 pupils of Hinchley Wood School come from homes in the area. Pupils can only get to the school by bus using the 71 followed by the K3 which takes about an hour, and both buses are already pretty full at peak hours.

29 July 2009 - 9:07pm

Caroline looks at transport issues in Wimbledon

On Saturday 11th July, Caroline visited Wimbledon with Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Shas Sheehan, to campaign on local transport issues.

Caroline, Shas, and local Lib Dem activists collected signatures for the One Hour Bus Ticket petition. They also investigated air quality issues in Raynes Park, and litter problems around Dundonald Road Tramlink station.

14 July 2009 - 9:12pm

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