Caroline's news

Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of the London cycle hire scheme (Wednesday 30th July), Caroline Pidgeon AM, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has published new evidence showing the cycle hire scheme has a long way to go to reach the usage per bike that was seen during the Summer of 2012. Her latest research confirms the importance of Transport for London making it easier for people to use the cycle hire scheme, including through new payment methods such as by Oyster and contactless payment.

A report commissioned by Transport for London has highlighted multiple failures in the handling of a contract awarded to Bombardier for tube signalling upgrades, which collapsed leaving behind an estimated £100m loss for taxpayers.

Commenting on the findings, Caroline Pidgeon said:

The Mayor's Independent Investment Programme Group has reviewed Transport for London's £200m annual spending on telecommunications, and rated it as "not fit for purpose", with duplication, fragmentation and missed opportunities.

Caroline Pidgeon commented:

“TfL needs to show real urgency in tackling what appears to be significant waste in telecommunications. It seems that these savings are low lying fruit which TfL should have picked a long time ago. The public would be far more understanding about changes that directly affect them, such as ending cash fares on buses, if significant internal waste had truly been eradicated first.”

The proposed extension of the Bakerloo tube line should include two new routes through Southwark – one down the Old Kent Road, and another through Camberwell.

That’s the vision of Liberal Democrats in the borough, who are launching a new campaign to push the Mayor and Southwark Council into action on the issue.

Responding to figures showing that the Metropolitan Police spent £3 million more in processing gun licence applications than they received in fees, Caroline Pidgeon commented:

"When there are so many pressures on police resources it is indefensible that the Met should be subsidising gun owners by millions of pounds every year.

"The full cost of carrying out vital checks before the issuing of gun licences should be paid for entirely by gun owners themselves.