Caroline's news

Caroline joined local councillors and campaigners in Southwark on Saturday 24th March knocking on doors and talking to local people about their concerns about crime.

Caroline Pidgeon AM went on a tour of the White Water Rafting Centre for the Olympic Games just north of London to see an Olympic venue fully in operation.

The Centre in the Lee Valley is already offering training for our athletes, as well as fire fighters, team building exercises for staff and people having fun and learning to use the first class facilities.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and Lib Dem Deputy Mayoral candidate, commenting on Boris Johnson's transport manifesto that has been published today said:

"There needs to be a reality check with every statement issued by Boris Johnson.

"Four years ago he promised Londoners that the Tube would run for longer at the weekends, that he would end exorbitant train prices and ensure that the bike hire scheme cost nothing to the taxpayer. He even promised to work hard to negotiate a no strike deal with the Tube unions.

Caroline recently took part in a meeting with Transport for London over their controversial decision to close the lifts at both Bermondsey and Canada Water tube stations for the next three months.

Local Liberal Democrats have already written to Boris Johnson expressing their concern about the impact this will have on local residents and have urged the Mayor to reopen at least one lift to enable disabled people and parents with young children to be able to access the Jubilee Line without having to go all the way to London Bridge.

At the meeting, attended also by Simon Hughes MP and Councillors Anood Al-Samerai and David Hubber (pictured), TfL defended their policy of simultaneously closing both lifts but have promised to take active steps to publicise the sudden closure of both lifts, including providing extensive information on electronic notice boards on the Jubilee Line and possibly on local buses.

Caroline recently joined Liberal Democrat mayoral Brian Paddick at a fundraising event for the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. She was also joined by Steve Bradley, a Liberal Democrat London Assembly candidate and Lambeth Councillor.

A year ago the centre was struggling to raise funds to buy the premises in which it is situated. Now following a grant by the Irish Government and other fundraising the management of the centre are planning to demolish and totally rebuild the facility, including residential housing.

A full report on plans for the centre can be seen at the Shepherd's Bush blog.