Caroline spent a sunny Saturday 28th June helping Oliver Brooks, candidate in the Christchurch ward by-election in Bexley. Oliver is a young and energetic candidate who has lived all his life in Bexley. The by-election follows the resignation of Ian Clements – one of the key advisors to the new Mayor, Boris Johnson.
On 24 June Caroline and other London Assembly members went on a site visit in Shoreditch to look at how work is progressing on the East London Line Extension Phase 1, and to look at the area where one of the new bridges had slipped during its installation near Liverpool Street station.
"The works were very impressive and progress to date seems to be fast and effective. I look forward to funding being agreed for the phase 2 of the East London Line joining up Camberwell, Peckham, Clapham High Street and Clapham Junction" said Caroline Pidgeon.
Caroline spent a day helping in the Henley Parliamentary By-election with fellow Southwark Councillor Anood Al-Samerai and Director of Communications for the Liberal Democrats, Jon Oates.
“We had a fantastic day campaigning in the countryside and received a really warm welcome” said Caroline.
Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon is backing Brent Liberal Democrats in pressing Boris Johnson to act on the problems caused by bus traffic through Staverton Road.
Following long-standing calls for action from local residents, backed by Brondesbury Park's local Liberal Democrat councillors, Brent's Lead Member for Highways and Transportation, Liberal Democrat Councillor Daniel Brown, has written to the Mayor of London asking for action.
On Wednesday 18th June Caroline was the guest speaker at Beckenham Liberal Democrats to talk about the GLA, Boris and transport issues.
A lovely crowd of members turned up from Beckenham, as well as from Croydon and Fulham, to hear about life at City Hall and the latest things Boris had been saying!
Members raised a number of key issues including the latest situation on the Crystal Palace Tram Extension.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson on the London Assembly, joined local MPs Susan Kramer and Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat council leaders from across London, and thousands of other campaigners at a protest rally in West London against the planned expansion at Heathrow airport.
After the rally Caroline said: “Hopefully now the government will understand that Londoners don’t want a third runway at Heathrow nor any increase in terminals. People came from around London to protest because this issue is not one that affects just west London. Wherever you live or work in the capital you cannot have failed to notice the increase in aircraft movements and noise; enough is enough and any expansion must be halted.”
Boris Johnson has agreed to seek an urgent meeting with the Department for Transport over funding for Phase 2 of the East London Line extension, following questioning from Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon at Mayor’s Question Time this week.
The Mayor also stated his priorities to securing proper funding from Government for Crossrail and Tube upgrades.
Transport Spokesperson for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Caroline Pidgeon commented:
The future of the Cross River Tram is under threat, as revealed by questioning from London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon.
Boris Johnson stated that he will be reviewing the transport, economic and environmental implications of the Cross River Tram because there is no Government funding in place for the scheme.
Caroline Pidgeon, Transport Spokesperson for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, said:
Mayor Boris Johnson admitted that his plans for a new Routemaster bus are only an aspiration rather than a firm commitment, during questioning by Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon at Mayor’s Question Time yesterday.
The Mayor also commented that he would not pursue the Routemaster at an unlimited cost, despite it being one of his key campaign pledges.
Transport Spokesperson for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Caroline Pidgeon commented:
London Assembly Liberal Democrats urged the Mayor to take action on the closure of 155 London Post Offices today.
There has been no word about how the Mayor will respond to today’s closures, despite focusing much of his campaign on protecting London’s Post Offices.
Commenting, Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member said:
“One of the Mayor’s strongest manifesto pledges was to stop the Government from axing local Post Offices. The Mayor needs to step-up and show that he is serious about protecting local Post Office branches.
