As the National Audit Office released its report into Crossrail’s 2019 revised schedule and budget, London Assembly Transport Committee Chair Caroline Pidgeon commented:
"It's deeply disappointing that the cost estimate for Crossrail exceeds the funding package. The current estimate is between £30m and £218m above the current available funding to complete the programme, with a middle estimate of £120m over.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the decision to maintain the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport as a condition of travel on all TfL services after 19 July, said:
“This is a welcome decision which I have been urging the Mayor to make. It would be utter nonsense to immediately abandon this public health measure as the number of Covid infections rises so steeply.
Caroline Pidgeon has welcomed Transport for London's cancellation of its plans to make the Tube cash-free.
Caroline told the Evening Standard:
“This is a welcome announcement. For a long time TfL’s strategy was to remove by stealth the ability to use cash at its station ticket machines.
“The decisions it made last year on removing cash payments were based on zero consultation with passengers and little real evidence of passenger or staff safety.
On Clean Air Day, Caroline Pidgeon pressed the Mayor of London to clarify the exact air monitoring arrangements for roads leading to his Silvertown road tunnel. Will dangerous particulate matter be monitored on all approach roads to this tunnel? His lack of answers so far cannot continue...
Caroline had a fantastic afternoon visiting the major upgrade schemes happening at Denmark Hill, Peckham Rye and Tulse Hill stations.
The first stop was Denmark Hill, with its fab artwork led by the the Camberwell Society and the new entrance onto Windsor Walk that will open this summer.
Next was Peckham Rye Station, to see and discuss the plans to restore the station and importantly make it step-free.
The London Assembly has unanimously passed Caroline Pidgeon's motion calling for all stations in London have tactile paving installed within 4 years passed.
This is a crucial and basic safety measure for blind and visually impaired people.
Caroline said:
"It is nothing less than a scandal that one third of train platforms in London and around the country are so unsafe, especially for blind and visually impaired people.
As the government and Mayor agreed a short-term funding deal for Transport for London, instead of a long-term solution, London Assembly Transport Committee Chair Caroline Pidgeon commented:
"The continued delays are not useful -recent passenger numbers are 40% of pre-pandemic levels on the Underground and 61% on the bus network. These levels will increase over time and Londoners need to know their transport needs will be met as demand grows.
In the London Assembly, Caroline questioned the Mayor on progress with Crossrail, and the continued uncertainty as to the opening date and the total cost.
The Mayor confirmed that he expects the opening to be “in the first half of next year” and the final cost is yet to be determined…
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on Kennington London Underground station finally changing tomorrow from a Zone 2 station to a boundary Zone 1 / 2 station, said.
“This is a change I have long campaigned for, as the former councillor that represented the tube station. Rezoning Kennington tube formed part of our Mayor of London campaigns in 2000 with Susan Kramer, and then in 2004 with Simon Hughes.
Caroline Pidgeon and Luisa Porritt launched the London Liberal Democrats' flexible Travelcard policy at Oxford Circus on 27th April.
More flexible working means we now need to update travelcards to ensure Londoners get fairer fares. Introducing a travelcard with four days of travel for the price of three reflects our new way of working and gives Londoners a free day of travel around our city.
