Scrutinising the Mayor articles

Mayor and TfL should ensure the trains run on a very special weekend

Londoners and visitors are facing heavy travel disruption on the city's biggest weekend of the year - due to engineering work on the Tube and Overground, as well as the rail strike.

Caroline Pidgeon criticised the Mayor and Transport for London for the poor timing, and urged them to rethink:

“The weekend of 19 and 20 May will be a very special weekend for the capital, with a London team in the FA Cup Final and many people coming to London to take part in events across the capital celebrating the royal wedding.

1 May 2018 - 9:01pm

The Mayor hasn't listened properly to RV1 bus users

The Mayor has refused to reverse the cuts to the RV1 bus service, which have left users with just three buses per hour - despite having spent £1 million on two new hydrogen-powered buses for the route just weeks before!

Caroline Pidgeon expressed the disappointment and frustration of local passengers:

"I welcome TfL at least admitting that it was unacceptable to suddenly cut in half the frequency of the RV1 without giving advance notice to customers and stakeholders.

1 May 2018 - 8:56pm

Council and TfL are still failing to answer questions over Hammersmith Bridge

Liberal Democrat Londonwide Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, after the continued failure of the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council to answer her questions about how long Hammersmith Bridge will be closed for, said:

“No one underestimates the challenges of finally repairing and strengthening this historic bridge.

“However just because the issue is challenging is no excuse for not being open with the public.

27 March 2018 - 9:36pm

101 police line keeps too many Londoners waiting on the phone

Figures showing the lengthy wait many Londoners face in attempting to contact the 101 police non-emergency line have been revealed by Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat Londonwide Assembly Member.

Caroline's questions to the Mayor revealed that in 2017:

  • Almost one million Londoners simply gave up seeking to get through to the 101 telephone line
  • The average time during 2017 to get through was 4 minutes and 4 seconds, although in June 2017 it soared to 8 minutes and 20 seconds
27 March 2018 - 9:34pm

The design for the Rotherhithe-Canary Wharf bridge has to be chosen transparently

Caroline Pidgeon has written to the top lawyer at Transport for London, describing her growing concerns at the lack of openness in the design and procurement process, and asking him to investigate.

Specifically, Caroline raised the issues that:

  • A "bascule" design - where the bridge would open and close like Tower Bridge - has been ruled out without clear reasons, despite being supported by transport charity Sustrans in an independent report
4 March 2018 - 10:16pm

Publicly funded promotion agency needs to be more accountable

Caroline Pidgeon has called for more transparency from "London & Partners", the publicly funding tourism and promotions agency.

The London Assembly agreed a motion on 22nd February calling on the Mayor to use his position as the largest contributor to L&P's budget to ensure there is greater accountability.

Caroline said:

“London & Partners has a vital job to do in continuing to promote London in a highly competitive world.

“We should not be complacent over the number of tourists that choose to visit London.

4 March 2018 - 9:22pm

Vulnerable children in London are waiting too long for the Met to improve

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and campaigner for better child protection, commenting on the fourth report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) on the record of child protection investigations undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service commented:

“It is disturbing that 15 months after the first highly critical report was published, shortcomings are still rife in child protection investigations undertaken by the Met.

22 February 2018 - 9:53pm

Cycling vision is under funding pressure

Caroline Pidgeon joined other London Assembly Transport Committee members, and the mayor's cycling commissioner Will Norman, to tour central London's cycling infrastructure on two wheels and see at first hand conditions for the cycling public.

Caroline said:

"The Mayor clearly has a vision for cycling, but it may face pressure from Transport for London’s squeezed budget following central government cuts, the fare freeze and falling revenue from commercial activities."

19 February 2018 - 8:03pm

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