Caroline's news

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on reports that Boris Johnson failed to declare to the London Assembly a dinner he attended at Rupert Murdoch's home just days before the Metropolitan Police launched a new inquiry into phone hacking, said:

“Boris Johnson failed to declare the hospitality he received from Rupert Murdoch in both his monthly report to the London Assembly, and in the GLA's Register of gifts and hospitality. In addition to this evasiveness he then provided a misleading written answer to a London Assembly Member.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the announcement that the Thames Cable Car will open from midday on Thursday 28th June said:

“It is welcome news that the Thames Cable Car will be open before the Olympic Games, as additional forms of transport will be helpful in dealing with the exceptional pressures the capital will face later this Summer, and help spectators travel between the Excel and O2 venues.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on new research this week from the University College London revealing that four in five pensioners cannot cross the road quickly enough to safely use pedestrian crossings due to the assumption that people of all ages are capable of walking at a speed of just under four feet (1.2m) a second said:

“This is vital research which reveals just how ungenerous the national standard actually is for the time given to pedestrians to cross the road.

As TfL announced that the Waterloo & City line will run on Sundays during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in an attempt to relive congestion, Caroline Pidgeon told the Evening Standard:

“This is a welcome development. Transport for London should use this opportunity to examine potential weekend demand and see whether there is a case for regularly running trains every weekend.”

Speaking to the Evening Standard about the Thames cable car that is shortly to open, Caroline Pidgeon said:

“After misleading Londoners and claiming two years ago that the Thames cable car would not cost a penny of taxpayers’ money it is time the Mayor provided some honest answers.

“Not only do we need to know when it will finally open but the Mayor must also tell us how much a ride will cost and whether Oyster will be accepted from the start.”