Transport articles

Lib Dems back bikers faced with foot tunnel closure

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, has called on Greenwich Council Leader Chris Roberts to provide an alternative river crossing for hundreds of cyclists when the Greenwich Foot Tunnel closes for up to 18 months for renovation. Cyclists and pedestrians are also threatened with the closure of the 'sister' Woolwich Foot Tunnel at the same time.

Cllr Pidgeon met a group of cyclists at the Cutty Sark outside the south entrance to the Foot Tunnel with Liberal Democrat group leader on Greenwich Council Brian Woodcraft, Cllr Paul Webbewood, and Lib Dem councillors from Lewisham.

After using the lift and inspecting the Tunnel, Caroline Pidgeon said:
"Chris Roberts and Boris Johnson cannot just leave hundreds of cyclists who depend on the Foot Tunnel to get to work every day without an alternative. They face either biking many extra miles to cross Tower Bridge or to use the Woolwich Ferry. The Blackwall and Rotherhithe Tunnels are too dangerous for cyclists and DLR rules do not permit bikes. The Council and the Mayor must find a workable alternative."

2 September 2009 - 10:31pm

US Embassy claims are unsustainable - Caroline in The Times

In a letter to The Times, Caroline Pidgeon has repeated her criticism of the US Embassy's refusal to pay the congestion charge.

Caroline says:

The decision by the new US Ambassador in London to adopt the same stance as his predecessor is a depressing development for everyone who hoped a new Administration in the White House would lead to some of the most abrasive aspects of the US relationship with the UK coming to an end ...

20 August 2009 - 8:23pm

Caroline speaks to The Times on London fares

The Times has a story covering the risk of fare rises across Britain's public transport. Caroline is quoted arguing for a freeze in London fares for 2010:

Caroline Pidgeon, chairman of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, said that July inflation figures were a key element of setting fares.

“The Mayor should not hesitate to announce that bus, Tube and tram fares will at least be frozen in 2010,”

19 August 2009 - 9:23pm

Mayor must freeze fares for 2010

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on today’s July inflation figures, which are used as the basis of future fare rises said:

“With prices falling by minus 1.4% in July the Mayor should not hesitate to announce that bus, tube and tram fares will at least be frozen in 2010.

18 August 2009 - 8:41pm

US Embassy letting down Londoners on Congestion Charge

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on the announcement by the US State Department, that the US Embassy in London will continue to evade paying the Congestion Charge said:

“Change might have taken place in the White House, but sadly this has not been matched at the US Embassy in London. It seems the much trumpted ‘special relationship’ with the USA is very much a one-way street.”

18 August 2009 - 8:39pm

Campaigning to ensure Green Lane remains green - and safe

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, is pushing for a permanent solution to be found to the unsafe junction of Green Lane and High Road which has been plagued for a long time by overgrown shrubbery.

Caroline recently visited the junction at the request of Liberal Democrat Councillors Roger Giess and Julian Heather.

Caroline said:
“The problem with this corner is that the shrubbery keeps growing and makes the junction unsafe as it blocks the views for motorists turning into Green Lane from the High Road. At the same time pedestrians crossing Green Lane have a reduced view of cars turning into the road, making the junction unsafe for them as well."

18 August 2009 - 7:55pm

Caroline calls for supermarket trolley action

Newington Lib Dem councillor Caroline Pidgeon is calling on Morrisons supermarket to remove a trolley park and railings which is obstructing the pavement outside its Walworth Road store.

The trolley park has recently been constructed without planning permission from Southwark Council. Cllr Pidgeon has written to the supermarket chain’s Chief Executive, asking for the trolley park to be removed before action is taken against it.

11 August 2009 - 8:57pm

Boris's bureaucrats go basket bonkers!

Boris Johnson's Transport for London bureaucrats have gone bonkers over Islington's hanging flower baskets and ordered that some of them must come down – for health and safety reasons.

In an extraordinary bit of red tape, Transport for London bosses have told Islington Council that the baskets pose a risk to pedestrians, buses and cars. The Council has had to check each lamp-post to see if it can take the "strain".

Council staff have now taken down ten of the offending baskets along Upper Street and Holloway Road.

Islington's Liberal Democrat council has put up a record number of flower baskets this year – over 1000 across the borough. Islington is representing London and the South East in this year's "Britain in Bloom" competition, so TfL's intervention is particularly unwelcome. TfL have a long history of supporting "Britain in Bloom" and were former sponsors.

6 August 2009 - 9:55pm

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