Caroline's news

The Going Underground and Mayorwatch blogs both have coverage of Caroline Pidgeon pressing the Mayor to remove the ban on guide dogs on escalators on the Tube.

Caroline commented:

The ban on blind people being able to take a guide dog onto moving escalators is outdated and must be changed. There is now clear evidence that trained guide dogs can safely use moving escalators so ending the insulting service that many blind people currently face when they use the tube.

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined local Lib Dem Councillors for Highgate ward in Haringey - Cllr Rachel Allison and Cllr Bob Hare - on Friday 18th March for a meeting with members of the Highgate Society and other local councillors from Camden about buses in Highgate, and particularly problems with the bus stand in the middle of South Grove, Highgate Village.

"It was clear from our walkabout and discussions that there are serious problems with the 271 bus stands in the middle of the square. The Highgate Society has done a huge amount of work analysing the bus routes across the area and various options that could be explored to finesse the routes and result in a community space" commented Caroline Pidgeon.

Caroline Pidgeon AM hosted a meeting on 22nd February with Cllr Daniel Moylan, Deputy Chair of Transport for London and TfL officers with local Kingston Councillors Frances Moseley and Vicki Harris to try to help the Tolworth Broadway design project move forward.

The exciting plans for Tolworth Broadway would see barriers removed and a wonderful wide cycle and pedestrian route along the central reservation up to Tolworth station. The route would be distinct with green quality materials used for the surface in stripes, and would ideally go across the traffic island as well.

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on Boris Johnson’s claim today that fare evasion rose to almost £75 million last year, said:

“The Mayor is right that we need to tackle fare evasion, but I don't have any faith in the figures he quotes. He just seems to use a random figure that helps his story.

“In 2009 the Mayor told us fare evasion was costing Londoners £70m a year. Last Year Boris told me that fare evasion was running at £55m a year. Today he tells us it costs £75m a year. One of the Mayor’s answers must be wrong!

Lib Dem Assembly Members Caroline Pidgeon AM and Mike Tuffrey AM met local Lib Dem campaigners in Battersea to look at local issues on Tuesday 15th March ahead of the People’s Question Time in Battersea Arts Centre.

The team discussed concerns about the redevelopment plans for Clapham Junction station and the problems of poor air quality, as well as other transport issues.

“It was good to talk to local residents and Lib Dem Campaigners about a number of key issues in Clapham and Battersea. Local people really want to see the cycle hire scheme expanded and want to ensure that Clapham Junction becomes a fully accessible station” commented Caroline Pidgeon.