Caroline's news

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the much reduced Clipper commuter service which will operate from Monday 1st November, said:

“Today you can jump on a Clipper boat just before midnight at the Embankment and travel down the Thames to Bankside, Blackfriars, London Bridge, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and Woolwich. Yet from Monday simply getting home will become a real struggle for many people when they suddenly discover that the last boat now leaves as early as 9.10 pm.

If the Mayor is serious about his plans to see an extra million journeys made on foot in the capital every day, he needs to push for bigger, bolder pedestrianisation projects alongside smaller initiatives to get people walking, a new report by the London Assembly says today.

Caroline met with Kingston Liberal Democrat Councillors on Monday 25th October as part of a series of meetings with Lib Dem Council Groups across London.

A number of important issues were discussed, such as funding for the Freedom Pass and the threat to the London Grants Scheme. Local concerns such as rezoning Kingston Station, serious traffic problems in Chessington and South West Trains not selling Oystercards were also raised.

“It was a delight to meet the Councillors who are running Kingston Council and to hear about some of the big issues affecting their area” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Caroline joined Lewisham Liberal Democrats and local candidate Ingrid Chetram in Ladywell Ward in Lewisham on Saturday.

The team were out knocking on doors, talking to local people about a wide range of issues including the local Crofton park library which is threatened with closure, and the need for a strong local champion for the area.

“It was a pleasure to knock on doors with Ingrid Chetram who has lived in the area for 20 years. We had a great response from local people who are keen to have a hard-working councillor who knows the issues in the area and will stand up for them” added Caroline.

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on speculation that the Boris Johnson has asked Transport for London to examine proposals for an airport on the Hoo peninsula near Gravesend in Kent, said: