Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s (Friday 3rd December) International Day of Disabled People has called on the Mayor of London to make a firm commitment to ensure that every pedestrian crossing in London is accessible for disabled people.
Caroline Pidgeon joined the London Cycling Campaign for their 2010 AGM in November. Caroline spoke in a question and answer session, and also presented awards for some of the best cycling initiatives across London.
Photo: Caroline presents the Streets Of Growth project team with their award for the best cycling project for young people.
Caroline Pidgeon AM joined other Assembly members on Friday 26th November on a tour of the Olympic Park to see how all the sports venues and the village are progressing.
“It was quite astonishing to see how fast the venues are being built and how the site is transformed since I last visited. The Velodrome is particularly amazing and we were lucky enough to go inside to see the track and imagine our British cyclists going for gold in 2012” commented Caroline.
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:
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.
The Lib Dem Women's Network event at City Hall, London on Monday was a great success. Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon showed network members around the Lord Foster building - which has a nickname not suitable for a family newspaper to report! Caroline shared her experiences of the GLA and the ways she and her colleagues Dee Doocey and Mike Tuffrey work together to hold Mayor Boris Johnson to account. After the tour and questions the network headed off for pasta and a catch up nearby!
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.
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.
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.
If the Mayor is serious about his plans to see an extra million journeys made on foot in the capital every day, he needs to push for bigger, bolder pedestrianisation projects alongside smaller initiatives to get people walking, a new report by the London Assembly says today.
