Caroline spoke to London Live about the closure of how Hammersmith Bridge is affecting residents in south west London, and why the Conservatives need to stop trying to absolve themselves of the Government's responsibility to help get the bridge open again.
The London Assembly has approved Caroline Pidgeon's motion calling for the Mayor to do everything possible to support Hammersmith & Fulham Council in repairing Hammersmith Bridge, and for the Government to accept its responsibility in the delays to date, and finally release the funding needed.
Caroline joined Cllr Rachel Bentley for a site visit looking at problems around Rotherhithe Tunnel, and issues at junctions at Jamaica Road, Southwark Park Road and West Lane.
As Transport for London admitted that daily disruption on the Central line is likely to continue until the summer, Caroline Pidgeon said:
"The Mayor of London needs to focus less on pre-election gimmicks and more on the day job. Funding the Tube network properly needs to be a priority.
"We have already seen warnings this sort of disruption could spread to the Northern, Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines if this issue is not gotten to grips with."
Following the disappointing news that the plan to extend the London Trams network to Sutton will not be progressed, Caroline Pidgeon said:
"Residents in Sutton have been waiting 20 years for this scheme, which would link them to the wider Tube network.
"With Labour having expanded ULEZ to outer London, it is now even more vital.
"London Liberal Democrats will continue to push for the project to go ahead."
Caroline Pidgeon has called for Transport for London to take firmer action against fare dodging, where enforcement currently remains weaker than it was before 2020.
Caroline said:
"While of course it is welcome news prosecutions for fare evasions are up on last year, it is deeply disappointing they still remain below the levels for 2019/20, especially with lower journeys now than before the pandemic.
In the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon spoke about the concerns that TfL may be accessing EU drivers' data unlawfully in order to issue ULEZ fines. Since the initial reports, further allegations have emerged of unlawful access via an Italian police department.
The latest data on the ULEZ scrappage scheme shows that only 40 per cent of applications have been accepted so far.
The Liberal Democrats have pointed out this is yet more evidence that the Mayor should have accepted their Budget amendment last year that would have opened the scheme to everyone from day one, without means testing – and furthermore, that the current scheme should be open to retrospective applications.
After the Guardian revealed that TfL has been threatened with legal action over allegations of unlawfully obtaining the details of EU drivers in order to fine them for Ultra Low Emisson Zone "breaches" – which often simply means a failure to register a compliant vehicle before arriving – Caroline Pidgeon has called for an urgent investigation.
Caroline said:
“It is extremely worrying to hear that TfL could be collecting its data from drivers unlawfully.
Caroline Pidgeon has welcomed the freeze in London transport fares for 2024, but warned of the need to ensure that Transport for London has stable and sustainable funding.
Caroline said:
"Any fare freeze is obviously good news for those reliant on public transport in the midst of an inflationary crisis.
"However, many will be wondering why they had to wait until an election year to take place.
