London Liberal Democrat leader Caroline Pidgeon promised "to campaign against cuts to policing and tackle overcrowding on London's transport network" as she launched the Lib Dem London Assembly election campaign at a social club in Harrow.
Caroline outlined Lib Dem policy on:
- Cycling safety: stopping plans to expand the Mayor’s cycle super-highways until they have been fully reviewed and all dangerous junctions made safe.
- The green agenda for London: a big switch to a low carbon transport system, involving electric buses, taxis and small vans.
- Reducing the estimated 22,000 people who die prematurely each year of respiratory illnesses linked to the capital’s poor air quality by implementing the final phase of the Low Emission Zone – which Boris Johnson has delayed.
- Affordable transport: a One Hour Bus Ticket, early bird fares to help low income workers and those who want to save money by travelling off-peak, and a part-time travel card.
Speaking about the campaign's key issues, Caroline said:
"The Mayor’s cuts to policing are dangerous. Officers have fallen since their peak by around 1500 under Boris’ mayoralty, and potential cuts to police counters will make it harder for vulnerable people to report crime.
"Harrow–on–the–Hill and Stanmore stations have been ignored by Boris Johnson. As the serving chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee I have campaigned for accessibility to be improved. Investment should be for stations which are most used, such as Harrow–on–the-Hill.
“Boris Johnson has failed to improve our roads, rail and cycle lanes. Bus fares from January will have risen by 55%, and so far this year 15 cyclists have died on our roads“.
"It is time for an end to the tired and old Boris and Ken show. In Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick, Londoners have a real alternative with extensive crime cutting experience."