recent blog articles

The Independent and the Daily Mail have both covered the Mayor's admission, in response to questions from Caroline Pidgeon, that £11.6m has been spent so far on rail replacement bus services during the Jubilee Line upgrade works.

Caroline said:

The delayed upgrades to the Jubilee Line has been bad enough for passengers and businesses, who have had to put up with terrible disruption and closures for far too long. It is now rubbing salt into the wound to discover that farepayers are picking up another huge bill.

Caroline Pidgeon, commenting on the refusal of the Mayor and Transport for London to provide a signalised crossing on Jamaica Road by Southwark Park, said:

"The Mayor's refusal of a much needed signalised crossing on Jamaica Road by Southwark Park is appalling news for the users of the park and the many other pedestrians who simply want to cross the road in safety and with ease.

"Despite announcing that 2011 will be the Year of Walking, the Mayor repeatedly shows he is unable to properly consider the interests of pedestrians."

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has welcomed the decision of the Mayor and Transport for London as a “victory for common sense” to finally accept the need for a review of whether a 24-hour bus lane should continue on Jamaica Road.

Over the last two years, Caroline Pidgeon has regularly urged the Mayor to consider reviewing the hours that the bus lane operates, yet in response to repeated questions the Mayor has consistently refused. As recently as March of this year the Mayor confirmed that Transport for London had no plans at all to review the operation hours of the bus lane.

Commenting on the sudden change of mind by the Mayor and Transport for London Caroline Pidgeon said:
“This is a victory for common sense and I am delighted that finally the Mayor and Transport for London have listened to the views of local residents, councillors and Simon Hughes MP on this issue. I know many residents find the 24-hour operation of this bus lane incredibly frustrating and want action to end the snail-paced traffic on Jamaica Road.

The Liberal Democrat Group on the London Assembly is today celebrating the appointment of Dee Doocey AM to the House of Lords.

Commenting on Dee’s appointment, Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly said:

Speaking on the first day of the judicial review into the decision by Newham Council to allow 50% more flights a year from London City Airport, Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, said:

“I wish the campaigners every success with their legal action. The aviation industry has a long record of exaggerating their economic importance while denying the true impact they have in terms of noise, disturbance and harm to the environment, and this is especially the case in relation to City Airport.

The Mayor of London today accepted that an investigation was needed to tackle the severe overcrowding that happens at Bank tube station and to consider bringing forward works to deal with overcrowding from 2021 following questioning by Caroline Pidgeon.

In an article for the London Says website, Caroline Pidgeon argues that positive moves are being made in devolving power from national government to London, but that much more remains to be done:

The new Government made it clear that they will devolve more responsibilities to London Government – the Mayor, Assembly and Boroughs – if there was agreement on a package of measures. I am pleased to say we collectively rose to the challenge and our submission was on Eric Pickles’ desk before the summer. ...

Yet while all these developments are hugely welcome, the Government’s legislation must ensure transparency and democratic accountability are improved at all levels. ...

Trust is needed in setting local and regional government free from the ties of Whitehall. A good start has been made, but we now need to fully deliver on this vital agenda of truly devolving power downwards and saying goodbye to Whitehall always knowing best.

You can read the full article here.

South Bermondsey Liberal Democrat councillors Michael Bukola and Paul Kyriacou have hit out at the failures of Southwark Council and Transport for London to properly manage the chaos on Southwark Park Road. Further to traders' complaints about the effects on their business, local residents have also complained about the closure of the bus stop outside the post office. There is chaos as some buses stop and some do not. The nearest bus stop is a significant distance away. Councillors Bukola and Kyriacou have taken this up with the council and with Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon to ask for her assistance in dealing with TfL.

Commenting, Councillor Michael Bukola said "Not only is the work causing traffic jams and dangers to pedestrians, but the closed bus stop is creating real problems for local shoppers and residents. It is really frustrating that neither the council nor TfL have thought to provide a temporary bus stop meaning that local people have to walk a long way to the next bus stop.

Caroline was delighted to attend Ed Davey MP’s annual dinner on Saturday 6th November with guest speaker Susan Kramer.

“It was fantastic to catch up with many friends in Kingston and to hear from Susan and Ed about the work they have done locally and the position nationally for the party”.

“I have enjoyed campaigning with Ed Davey and the local Kingston Lib Dems on many issues including re-zoning Kingston and Surbiton stations, the mayor’s removal of one day travelcards for outer London and the new school bus for Chessington” commented Caroline.