Caroline's news

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the High Court ruling confirming that a tube strike will go ahead on Boxing Day said:

"This strike is unwelcome as it will harm London's retailers, disrupt numerous Boxing Day events and lead to more cars on London's roads - it is the last thing London needs.

"Londoners who are just days away from being hit by large tube fare rises will find it hard to understand why this strike is really necessary."

2011 has seen far too many cycle accidents and deaths on our roads.

Caroline continues to campaign for safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians and her most recent questions to the Mayor which have been answered just before Christmas can be seen below.

For more information about cycling issues across London do also take a look at the excellent London Cycling Campaign website.

The River Thames is a forgotten highway, a tube line effectively, across the centre of London and yet under-resourced in terms of transport.

In January, the London Assembly Transport Committee is looking into river transport services - so Caroline and other Committee members spent a chilly morning in early December out and about on the river with Thames Clippers from Putney to Erith, looking at the challenges and opportunities to really expand river transport services for Londoners.

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate Brian Paddick and Merton and Wandsworth Lib Dem Candidate Lisa Smart out and about in Battersea on 5th December, along with other local residents including Battersea Lib Dem Chair Richard Davis.

The team looked at the works to make Clapham Junction station accessible, as well as ways to improve cycling in the area and the impact of the riots on local businesses.

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined London Cycling Campaign, cyclists, pedestrians and family members of the 16 cyclists who have died on London’s roads in 2011 at a vigil at King’s Cross on Tuesday 20th December.

Mark Ames, who writes the ibikelondon blog, spoke of the tragic cycle deaths and serious collisions on our roads as well as those pedestrians who have been injured or died.

A minute’s silence was held when the hundreds of people present remembered:
Ellie Carey, 22
Svitlana Tereschenko, 34
Brian Dorling, 58
Deep Lee, 24
Sam Harding, 25
Johannah Bailey, 49
Paul McGreal, 44
Michael Evans, 62
Thomas Stone, 13
Naoko Miyazaki, 35
Gavin Taylor, 40
Paula Jurek, 20
David Poblet, 20
Tom Barrett, 44
Daniel Cox, 28
Gary Mason, 48