Caroline Pidgeon AM has criticised the Mayor for rejecting the London Assembly's motion calling on him to help outer Londoners with the impact of the Ultra Low Emission Zone by investing in bus services and expanding the car scrappage scheme.
Caroline said:
On Thursday, the Assembly debated Sadiq Khan’s budget for London for 2023-2024. The Liberal Democrat Group secured an historic amendment to the Mayor’s budget – it is simple, affordable and will be effective in helping people in Outer London to cope with the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion.
The Lib Dems proposed:
At Mayor's Question Time, Caroline pressed the Mayor on the issue of noise levels on the Tube. At the worst hotspots – such as South Wimbledon and Canning Town – passengers are subjected to the equivalent of a rock concert or a plane coming in to land.
In Mayor's Question Time for December 2022, Caroline raised the issue of the Dial-a-Ride service ending early in the evenings, preventing older and disabled Londoners from being able to spend a proper night out.
Caroline's questions to the Mayor on the Metropolitan Police's response times for "lower urgency" 999 calls have shown that Londoners wait on average 3 hours, when the police should respond within 60 minutes – and in some boroughs, the wait is a lot longer.
The London Assembly's Oversight Committee, chaired by Caroline Pidgeon, has recommended tougher rules requiring the Mayor and assembly members to declare potential conflicts of interest - in the light of allegations that Boris Johnson gave preferential treatment to Jennifer Arcuri.
Caroline told the BBC:
The London Assembly Oversight Committee has released its findings from work which Caroline Pidgeon led, to examine the cost and impact of relocating City Hall.
The report summarises its conclusions:
In the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon pushed the Mayor to pilot Mobility Hubs at some outer London Underground car parks to bring together bike hire, tubes, buses, car clubs and click-and-collect, as well as EV charging.
Caroline also asked the Mayor to work with the taxi trade to increase rapid EV charging points at taxi refreshment and rest ranks. He has agreed to a meeting about this.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to the Mayor of London, pressing him to lobby the Government on the impact of compulsory calorie labelling on those with eating disorders.
Caroline said:
I've written to the Mayor sharing my concerns and those of leading campaigners, including Hope Virgo, over compulsory calorie labelling and the impact on those with eating disorders.
I hope he joins the lobbying efforts on this important issue.
