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Ed Davey’s Annual Dinner

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.

Greater London Pensioners' Conference

Caroline Pidgeon AM was one of the guest speakers at the Greater London Pensioners' Conference in Camden on Saturday 6th November.

Caroline spoke about transport in London including issues with buses, pedestrian crossings and door to door services such as dial-a-ride.

Caroline answered many questions on a range of subjects including most on the Freedom Pass and its future.

Caroline joins Surrey Docks residents' protest against Clipper cuts

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Lib Dem Councillor David Hubber, and local residents in Surrey Docks, to protest about the cuts being made to evening services by Thames Clippers. (Read about the service cuts here.)

Supporting the protesters, Caroline said "The Mayor must look at how to support river transport across London".

Brent Lib Dem annual dinner

Caroline joined Sarah Teather MP, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Brent Lib Dem leader Cllr Paul Lorber and other councillors and members from Brent and Harrow at the annual Brent Lib Dem Dinner. As well as a dinner there was some superb entertainment and much fun dancing!

“It was wonderful to see so many old friends and colleagues and to catch up on all the issues in Brent, as well as hearing how Sarah Teather MP is getting on as a Government Minister” commented Caroline.

Mayor's "guided cycle" failure attracted only one Hammersmith rider

The Fulham Chronicle reveals that the Mayor's "guided cycling" scheme over the summer attracted literally only one Hammersmith rider.

The Chronicle quotes Caroline Pidgeon:

Last year's Cycle Fridays were an expensive flop. Yet instead of learning any lessons the Mayor insisted on going ahead this year with guided commuter cycle rides before suddenly cancelling them half way through the summer.

There is much that needs to be done to encourage cycling across London, but guided commuter cycle rides are clearly not the answer. The Mayor should instead concentrate on expanding the bike hire scheme and making roads safer for cyclists.

Read the full story here.

City Hall window cleaning costs spiral

In the Evening Standard, Caroline Pidgeon comments on the £140,000 annual bill for cleaning City Hall's windows:

Clearly there was a fundamental oversight when City Hall was built and no one gave any thought as to how the windows could easily be cleaned at a reasonable cost. As a result of such incompetence a fortune has been spent. ...

Serious questions now have to be asked as to why the cost of cleaning the windows has been spiralling while so many continue to be filthy.

Read the full story here at the Evening Standard.

Time to end the £4m scandal of Waterloo's empty platforms

Just days before the third anniversary of the closure of Waterloo International Terminal, the total cost of keeping them closed so far has been revealed as exceeding more than £4 million of taxpayer’s money.

Research by Caroline Pidgeon, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has also revealed that the numerous filming and other events at the empty platforms, such as the recent Railway Children production, have generated just a mere £61,852 over the same period.

Commenting on the situation, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“It is hard to think of anything more insulting to commuters than to get off a seriously overcrowded train at Waterloo station and to then be confronted by the scandalous sight of five empty train platforms. It is a further blow to discover that well over £4 million of taxpayers' money has already been spent simply to keep them boarded up.

Brent ticket office closures create concerns for passenger safety

Lib Dem London Assembly Leader Caroline Pidgeon has joined Brent Liberal Democrats in lobbying the Mayor about his proposed cuts to ticket office staffing at Tube stations in Brent - which has more underground stations than any borough other than Westminster.

Earlier in the year Liberal Democrats reacted to the news regarding which tube ticket offices were to shut or reduce opening hours with a vow to fight the proposals. Now more detail has emerged regarding the Brent stations which are on the Mayor's hit list.

Following a question to the Mayor from Caroline Pidgeon, it was revealed that the Bakerloo, Met line, Jubilee line and the Piccadilly line will all be affected by reduced opening hours and staffing levels for their ticket offices. Across Brent there will be a reduction of 10 station staff during peak hours, with Wembley Stadium’s nearest station – Wembley Park – especially hit. Liberal Democrats are concerned that reducing staff will lead to confusion and difficulties in the future when many visitors come to the area for the Olympics in just 22 months time.

Remembrance Sunday tube closures are an insult to veterans

Commenting on Transport for London’s plans to close several tube lines serving central London on Remembrance Sunday - when only three tube lines will provide a "good" service - Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, said:

“Thousands of veterans and their families will wish to come into central London to take part in the Remembrance Sunday events at the Cenotaph.

“It is simply disgraceful that so many tube lines will be closed on this very important day, making access difficult if not impossible for veterans, their families and others wishing to honour our armed forces.”

“I know that many Londoners will wish to show their appreciation to veterans and honour those who have fallen in combat. The Mayor and Transport for London need to rethink their plans."

London Assembly Lib Dems back Susan Kramer

The Liberal Democrat Group at the London Assembly has backed Susan Kramer to be Lib Dem party president.

Susan has worked closely with our Assembly members over many years, starting when she ran for London Mayor in 2000.

”Susan has so much energy, ideas and enthusiasm and has been a fantastic champion for Lib Dems in London. The rest of the party should benefit from Susan’s experience and knowledge. I hope members will give Susan their support” commented Lib Dem Leader Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Thames Clipper cuts will hit thousands of travellers

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the much reduced Clipper commuter service which will operate from Monday 1st November, said:

“Today you can jump on a Clipper boat just before midnight at the Embankment and travel down the Thames to Bankside, Blackfriars, London Bridge, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and Woolwich. Yet from Monday simply getting home will become a real struggle for many people when they suddenly discover that the last boat now leaves as early as 9.10 pm.

Meeting Kingston Liberal Democrat Councillors

Caroline met with Kingston Liberal Democrat Councillors on Monday 25th October as part of a series of meetings with Lib Dem Council Groups across London.

A number of important issues were discussed, such as funding for the Freedom Pass and the threat to the London Grants Scheme. Local concerns such as rezoning Kingston Station, serious traffic problems in Chessington and South West Trains not selling Oystercards were also raised.

“It was a delight to meet the Councillors who are running Kingston Council and to hear about some of the big issues affecting their area” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Campaigning in Ladywell Ward in Lewisham

Caroline joined Lewisham Liberal Democrats and local candidate Ingrid Chetram in Ladywell Ward in Lewisham on Saturday.

The team were out knocking on doors, talking to local people about a wide range of issues including the local Crofton park library which is threatened with closure, and the need for a strong local champion for the area.

“It was a pleasure to knock on doors with Ingrid Chetram who has lived in the area for 20 years. We had a great response from local people who are keen to have a hard-working councillor who knows the issues in the area and will stand up for them” added Caroline.

Mayor and TfL need to solve South Woodford flooding

London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon has joined local Lib Dem councillors in the fight to sort out the problem of flooding in the underpass below the A406 at Maybank Rd/Mulberry Way in South Woodford.

Every time there is heavy rain the underpass floods meaning local people have to wade through the water, or risk their safety by crossing the main roads at Charlie Brown’s roundabout.

After pressure from local councillors and residents, TfL have installed new drains and pumps in the underpass. But now it has been revealed that the drains are filling with clean water, probably from an underground spring, and the pumps can’t cope.

MP backs Caroline's call for South West Trains to support Oyster

The Hounslow Chronicle reports on Feltham and Heston Labour MP Alan Keen's support for Caroline Pidgeon's campaign to push South West Trains to support Oyster cards properly.

Caroline has criticsed the "raw deal" that SWT offer their customers, and said:
"It is time South West Trains caught up with the other train operating companies in London and provided a proper service to their customers."

Read the Hounslow Chronicle story here.

Holborn and St Pancras Pizza and Politics

Caroline was delighted to join lots of members of Holborn and St Pancras Liberal Democrats on Wednesday 13th October as their guest speaker at a regular social evening.

After campaigning in the Kentish Town By-election, Xaroline enjoyed some pizza with members, before talking about life at the London Assembly, challenging the Mayor of London on what he is doing – or not as the case may be – and what lies ahead for Lib Dems in the capital.

Lambeth Police Borough Commander’s commendation ceremony

On Friday 15th October Caroline Pidgeon AM was the guest of honour at Lambeth Borough Commander Nick Ephgrave’s commendation ceremony, to recognise police officers, staff and members of the public who have gone beyond the call of duty to help keep Lambeth safe.

Police officers were recognised for their outstanding work in a number of cases, including the terrible Larkhall Park incident over a year ago.

Tower Hamlets Mayoral election

Caroline joined Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate John Griffiths, Cllr Stephanie Eaton and the local team out and about on a walkabout on Saturday 16th October.

“It was really interesting to talk to local residents in the market and also local traders in the shops to hear about their concerns. In particular it was clear people feel Tower Hamlets Council is not supporting local markets and that the local shops are being affected by high rents and business rates” commented Caroline.

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