Caroline's news

In the Evening Standard, Caroline Pidgeon comments on the £140,000 annual bill for cleaning City Hall's windows:

Clearly there was a fundamental oversight when City Hall was built and no one gave any thought as to how the windows could easily be cleaned at a reasonable cost. As a result of such incompetence a fortune has been spent. ...

Serious questions now have to be asked as to why the cost of cleaning the windows has been spiralling while so many continue to be filthy.

Read the full story here at the Evening Standard.

Just days before the third anniversary of the closure of Waterloo International Terminal, the total cost of keeping them closed so far has been revealed as exceeding more than £4 million of taxpayer’s money.

Research by Caroline Pidgeon, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has also revealed that the numerous filming and other events at the empty platforms, such as the recent Railway Children production, have generated just a mere £61,852 over the same period.

Commenting on the situation, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“It is hard to think of anything more insulting to commuters than to get off a seriously overcrowded train at Waterloo station and to then be confronted by the scandalous sight of five empty train platforms. It is a further blow to discover that well over £4 million of taxpayers' money has already been spent simply to keep them boarded up.

Lib Dem London Assembly Leader Caroline Pidgeon has joined Brent Liberal Democrats in lobbying the Mayor about his proposed cuts to ticket office staffing at Tube stations in Brent - which has more underground stations than any borough other than Westminster.

Earlier in the year Liberal Democrats reacted to the news regarding which tube ticket offices were to shut or reduce opening hours with a vow to fight the proposals. Now more detail has emerged regarding the Brent stations which are on the Mayor's hit list.

Following a question to the Mayor from Caroline Pidgeon, it was revealed that the Bakerloo, Met line, Jubilee line and the Piccadilly line will all be affected by reduced opening hours and staffing levels for their ticket offices. Across Brent there will be a reduction of 10 station staff during peak hours, with Wembley Stadium’s nearest station – Wembley Park – especially hit. Liberal Democrats are concerned that reducing staff will lead to confusion and difficulties in the future when many visitors come to the area for the Olympics in just 22 months time.

Commenting on Transport for London’s plans to close several tube lines serving central London on Remembrance Sunday - when only three tube lines will provide a "good" service - Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, said:

“Thousands of veterans and their families will wish to come into central London to take part in the Remembrance Sunday events at the Cenotaph.

“It is simply disgraceful that so many tube lines will be closed on this very important day, making access difficult if not impossible for veterans, their families and others wishing to honour our armed forces.”

“I know that many Londoners will wish to show their appreciation to veterans and honour those who have fallen in combat. The Mayor and Transport for London need to rethink their plans."

The Liberal Democrat Group at the London Assembly has backed Susan Kramer to be Lib Dem party president.

Susan has worked closely with our Assembly members over many years, starting when she ran for London Mayor in 2000.

”Susan has so much energy, ideas and enthusiasm and has been a fantastic champion for Lib Dems in London. The rest of the party should benefit from Susan’s experience and knowledge. I hope members will give Susan their support” commented Lib Dem Leader Caroline Pidgeon AM.