Campaigning articles

Small businesses cannot afford congestion charge delay

The harmful effects of the western extension of the congestion charging zone were seen at first hand by Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, on her recent visit to the Portobello area. The fact-finding visit was organised by local Liberal Democrat campaigner Carol Caruana, who was keen to update the London Assembly on the impact of the extension on local shops and market stallholders.

After the visit Caroline commented:
“For a long time I have been aware of the harmful effects of the congestion charge extension, however there is no substitute for seeing first hand the harmful impact it is having. Trader after trader told me how they lost business since the congestion charge was extended. The congestion charge extension could not end sooner for businesses in this area.

14 February 2009 - 9:59pm

Improvements to Lambeth bus service welcomed by Caroline Pidgeon

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, has received assurances from Transport for London (TfL) that significant improvements will take place on an important Lambeth bus route.

Caroline took up the issue with TfL after concerns were raised by local residents and Liberal Democrat councillors. She has now been informed by TfL that the 59 bus route that runs from Streatham to Euston bus station, via Brixton station, Lambeth North station and Aldwych, will see far more buses running northward. The improvements should take place towards the end of the year.

6 February 2009 - 9:17pm

TfL dithering over dangerous Catford junction

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Assembly Transport spokesperson, recently visited the Tiger’s Head junction on Bromley Road in south Catford to discover at first hand how dangerous the junction is.

After visiting the junction and being briefed by Downham councillor Julia Fletcher she said:
“The extensive delays to improving this junction were brought to my attention by local Liberal Democrat councillors last Autumn and in November I raised the issue with a question to Boris Johnson.

“For many years Transport for London have known full well just how dangerous this junction is, especially for children, some of whom need to cross the junction to attend a local school. It is simply disgraceful that pedestrians are expected to cross four lanes of busy traffic with no pedestrian lights to assist them.

6 February 2009 - 9:16pm

TfL taken to task over Brixton works

Improvement works in Brixton town centre are causing chaos for commuters, according to Liberal Democrat GLA member, Caroline Pidgeon.

Ms Pidgeon met with senior officials from Transport for London (TfL) in Brixton on Monday at rush hour to see for themselves the mess left by contractors on the site.

In an hour-long briefing with local Liberal Democrat Councillors Ashley Lumsden and Roger Giess and Streatham's Parliamentary Spokesman, Chris Nicholson, officers were taken to task over ongoing traffic congestion, health and safety risks from misplaced barriers around the works, and piles of debris left in mounds near street lights and bus stops.

21 January 2009 - 11:55pm

Supporting David Schmitz in Seven Sisters

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Liberal Democrat campaigners in Seven Sisters Ward in Haringey on Tuesday 13th January, to support David Schmitz’s by-election campaign to become the new councillor for Seven Sisters on 15th January.

“It was really great to knock on doors and meet so many people and hear the issues they are concerned about” said Caroline. “It is quite clear local residents want a hard working, strong voice for their area and are concerned about the cost of council tax and the recent hike in fares on trains and buses. David will work hard for Seven Sisters all year round and be a superb local councillor” added Caroline.

15 January 2009 - 9:31pm

Caroline campaigns for Grace Goodlad in East Wickham

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Liberal Democrat campaigners in East Wickham Ward in Bexley on Sunday 11th January, to support Grace Goodlad’s by-election campaign to become the new councillor for the area on 22nd January.

“Lots of really important issues came up on the doorstep from protecting local open spaces to tackling crime” said Caroline. “Many residents are concerned about the cost of council tax and the recent hike in fares on trains and buses. I hope local residents will back Grace Goodlad for a strong voice for East Wickham”.

11 January 2009 - 10:53pm

High price of dithering in Whitefoot

Boris Johnson has this week stated that vital improvements to a junction in south Catford might now go ahead after years of delays.

Responding to a question from Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, the Mayor stated that Transport for London will start a consultation process for improvements at the junction of Bromley Road and Whitefoot Lane in Spring 2009. At present the junction only has pedestrian lights at two of the four sides of the junction, leaving many pedestrians in a very vulnerable position.

Whitefoot councillor Dan Houghton said:
"For many years TfL have been aware how dangerous this junction is, especially for children. Due to their dithering their own research and modelling for the junction became out of date and they were forced to repeat their investigations, causing further delays. Both pedestrians and the taxpayer have paid a high price for Transport for London's dithering over this junction."

6 January 2009 - 8:36pm

Bid to ease overcrowding on the 245

Brent’s Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign with Caroline Pidgeon AM to ease overcrowding on the 245 Bus route, in an attempt to make life easier for those travelling at peak times.

The popular route is particularly congested in the morning rush hour between 7 and 9am, and again in the evenings after around 4pm, according to Lib Dem Councillor Daniel Brown, the Council’s Lead Member for Highways and Transportation.

5 January 2009 - 7:44pm

Caroline Pidgeon and Norman Baker welcome King's Cross improvements

Lib Dems Caroline Pidgeon AM and Norman Baker MP visited King’s Cross station just before Christmas to hear about Network Rail’s plans for the redevelopment of the station. The Lib Dem team learnt about planned improvements to both the overground and underground stations for passengers. Caroline raised the issue of access via York Way, which has been an issue both Norman and Caroline have taken up for local residents.

2 January 2009 - 10:16pm

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