At the London Assembly's first ever online People's Question Time, Caroline discussed how to ensure London has world-class transport infrastructure.
We desperately need investment, particularly in our public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure. The Mayor of London must also finally cancel the £2bn polluting Silvertown Road Tunnel project under the Thames.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Mayor of London stressing the importance of London's community sports clubs, and calling for the creation of a Sports Recovery Fund.
Sport doesn't just improve physical health but can also be important for mental health too. Sports clubs and facilities will play a crucial role as we recover from COVID-19.
You can sign a petition for the creation of a Sports Recovery Fund here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/553619.
As the Mayor announced that the Greater London Authority will move away from Central London to the Royal Docks, Caroline Pidgeon said:
"While I regret today's decision by the Mayor of London to leave City Hall i understand why he felt it necessary to make this decision given the financial climate.
"I will, however, be closely monitoring the move to ensure it remains on budget and schedule, delivering the level of savings outlined by the Mayor today.
After questioning the true financial cost of the Silvertown Road Tunnel, Caroline quizzed the Mayor on the environmental cost at October's Question Time.
The claim that it will not make air quality or congestion worse is very hard to believe - and the Mayor refused to commit to monitoring all harmful pollutants from the tunnel.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Mayor, stressing the severity and urgency of the situation that the creative industries in London are facing during the pandemic, and urging him to lobby the government and to commit to doing all he can for the sector.
Caroline wrote:
Caroline has worked with Barnardo's to raise questions with the Mayor about support for the mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people, especially given the impact of Covid-19.
Specifically, Caroline asked the Mayor:
Child Mental Health Support
With the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and young people, what work is being undertaken to target the most vulnerable to help them recover and give professionals the opportunity to identify safeguarding issues and other concerns?
As the London Assembly returned to City Hall, Caroline spoke to support a motion calling for more officers for the Metropolitan Police.
Caroline said:
London can’t face further cuts to our police. We need:
- More Met officers to deal with the complex and unique nature of the capital’s crime;
After questioning from Caroline Pidgeon about the use of police force against Black Londoners, the Mayor has released figures showing that in January and February of this year Black Londoners accounted for 33% of incidents where force was used, compared to 32% in the same period of 2019.
Caroline said:
"This is a worrying and unacceptable trend, especially given Black Londoners make up 12% of the population.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the news of further delays to the opening of Crossrail, said:
“Covid might partly explain these latest delays, but they are only part of the picture as even Crossrail admits.
“The consequences of Crossrail opening two and half years late are immense. The project has soared in cost and every day it is not open valuable fare income is being lost to TfL and this vital new railway is not open to Londoners.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the news that most train fares will rise by 1.6% from 2 January 2021, but TfL fares will rise by 2.6% due to Government set conditions on TfL said:
“This exceptionally high fare rise for TfL passengers makes it clear that Londoners continue to pay the price for the political games being played by the Mayor and the Government.
