After a visit to East Sheen with local residents and Councillor Julia Cambridge to investigate Transport for London's plans for the area, Caroline has written to TfL to respond to the proposals.
At the London Assembly, Caroline pressed the Mayor to introduce an amnesty period when the Ultra-Low Emission Zone expansion takes effect, so that the scheme can be introduced in a way that brings the public with it.
Caroline said:
Responding to the latest revelations about the Conservative Christmas party during Covid restrictions where Conservatives were reportedly invited to a “jingle & mingle” event for Shaun Bailey’s mayoral campaign, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“It is an utter disgrace that while Londoners were doing their duty to protect one another, the Conservatives were planning parties.
Commenting on Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s call for police leaders to "ramp up" the use of stop and search, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Police & Crime Spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“The Independent Office for Police Conduct has already called for an end to the overuse of stop and search. The disproportionate use of stop and search on minority ethnic communities has contributed massively to a rise in distrust in the police in London.
Responding to the latest Ministerial Statement on HS2, which confirms extended delays to plans to connect the network to Euston Station, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“This latest Ministerial Statement just confirms more endless delays, demonstrating this Conservative Government has been incapable of learning from the failures of past infrastructure projects.
“Delays will likely lead to even more cost increases in the long-term alongside significant eyesores in local areas.
Caroline had a great day campaigning in Newington ward in Southwark, along with James Gurling, Rob Blackie, Chris Maines, Victor Chamberlain, Adam Hood, Rich Macmillan and other Southwark Lib Dems, supporting Vikas Aggarwal in the by-election to be held on 29 June.
There were lots of positive messages of support and it was great to catch up with local residents.
After the London Assembly backed her motion calling on the Mayor to do everything in his power to support the redevelopment of Stratford station, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“The redevelopment of Stratford station is vital for the future growth of east London as well as the region as a whole.
“If the population growth in east London is to also drive economic growth and improved prosperity for local communities, we must ensure the infrastructure is there to support that growth.
In the London Assembly Policing Committee, Caroline questioned the Deputy Mayor for Police & Crime and the Assistant Commissioner for Met Operations on the discovery of missing files relating to the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel.
The Met are still unable to explain why these files were locked in a cabinet for 9 years.
Caroline said:
Caroline has submitted a response to TfL's proposals to withdraw Day Travelcards.
Caroline said:
I have real concerns about TfL's plans to cut the One Day Travelcard and the impact on young people, families, people on low income, and disabled people.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Office of Rail and Road, opposing plans to weaken the requirement for train companies to provide timetables 12 weeks in advance.
Caroline pointed out that this will give less ability for passengers to plan ahead, deterring them from using the train – as well as giving less access to cheaper advance fares.
In May's Mayor's Question Time, Caroline pressed the Mayor on scrutiny mechanisms for the Metropolitan Police. A positive step was the confirmation that outside expertise will be an important feature of the new Policing Board – as Caroline has called for in the past.
Caroline had a useful visit to Wimbledon to meet with local residents and councillors John Braithwaite, Klaar Dresselaers and Paul Kohler and discuss the ongoing problems of tube noise and vibrations around South Wimbledon station. Lots of actions to take forward.
Responding to comments by London Mayor Sadiq Khan at Mayor's Question Time, where he refused to support repealing the Public Order Act, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Police & Crime Spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“The new powers in the Public Order Act are dangerous, unnecessary and illiberal. The recent arrests of republican protestors at the Coronation this month only demonstrated the array of problems within this legislation.
After the revelation that files relating to the murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan were left locked in a filing cabinet and excluded from the independent inquiry into the case, Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner asking for answers.
Caroline said:
After everything Daniel’s family have been through and the disgraceful way the Met treated the Inquiry and report, how can this have happened? This is shameful.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to Transport for London in response to their plans for the junction of King's Cross Road and Pentonville Road – currently a dangerous and hostile junction for cyclists and pedestrians.
Caroline welcomed TfL's attention to the junction, but highlighted the shortcomings in the plans, which could have achieved much more to make a safe and pleasant environment.
Responding to the release of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary’s report into the investigation of the Stephen Port murders, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Crime and Policing Spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“The murders of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor were a tragedy and my thoughts remain with their family and friends who did not receive the level of support from the Met they deserved and have had to relive their pain during subsequent inquiries.
Responding to the news that the Metropolitan Police are the only police force in the UK not to meet their recruitment targets, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Police & Crime Spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“Londoners are crying out for a return to real community policing and the news today that the Met is the only police service in England and Wales not to meet its recruitment targets will rightly concern a lot of Londoners.
As Greater Anglia announced that it will stop running all its services through Edmonton Green station, Caroline Pidgeon commented:
“This news will come as a hammer blow for those in Edmonton.
“This station is already one of the busiest on the line and the withdrawal of Greater Anglia services will place increased pressure on other services.
“The Mayor needs to think again and to work with Government to provide vital rail services on this line."
As the cost of the Greater London Authority's move to Royal Docks passed the £30m mark, Caroline Pidgeon criticised the decision to move.
“Moving City Hall has saved very little to the public purse out of the Mayor’s annual £20 billion budget. The new building is not fit for purpose and even more money is now having to be spent to make it work for the GLA staff who are based there.
“This was a foolish decision by the Mayor, leaving the iconic, purpose-built City Hall building empty next to Tower Bridge.”
Responding to the news that the head of the Police Federation of England and Wales has said the Met is institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Police and Crime Spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“It is good to see that more people within the police are willing to describe the problems faced by the Met as they are – institutional.
