In the London Assembly, Caroline pushed the Mayor to do more to help the taxi trade to set up Electric Vehicle taxi hubs at stations and rest/refreshment ranks – an issue that Caroline had previously raised a year ago, supporting London Cab Drivers Club. The Mayor agreed to help break through the bureaucracy standing in the way of this.
In the London Assembly, Caroline called on the Mayor to consider launching an international innovation competition to look at reducing Tube noise.
There are some amazing developments happening globally and it would be great to see London bringing together different sectors to solve this issue.
In the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon spoke out against the Conservatives draconian & anti-democratic Public Order Act and Labour's passive support for the legislation.
Caroline said:
Labour and Green politicians in the London Assembly have blocked attempts by the Liberal Democrats to increase the financial support available to those in outer London impacted by the expansion of Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion.
The Liberal Democrats had brought a motion to the Assembly today that called on the Mayor to increase the maximum payment claimants can make to the scrappage scheme, and open up the scheme to all those in outer London rather than just those on benefits.
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:
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.
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.
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 Sadiq Khan’s expansion of ULEZ will face a judicial review, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Deputy Chair of the Transport Committee Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“We all agree tackling air pollution is one of the most important issues for Londoners. Poor air quality is literally costing lives.
“However, any expansion of ULEZ should come with investment in public transport to offset the costs for communities in outer London.
With the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion imminent, Caroline Pidgeon pushed the Mayor to reinstate the buses that were cancelled in Richmond during the pandemic – but he could not commit to even reviewing the issue.
Caroline said:
Residents in Outer London will be really concerned. They want more buses, not fewer, across London.
