Caroline's news

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Lib Dem Cllr for Newington Ward Southwark, Cllr Catherine Bowman and Simon Hughes MP with the Mayor of Lambeth and local residents, and the Friends of Kennington Park to remember those who died in the air raid shelter 70 years ago. Cllr Bowman planted a rose bush, along with others, to remember those who died there in the war.

“The Friends of Kennington Park have done an amazing job for the park. First by fundraising and erecting the wonderful memorial, and secondly by this wonderful new planting in the park. It was a very special ceremony and it was wonderful to talk to some of the local residents such as Fred Armer who still remember what happened to this day” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Caroline joined local Liberal Democrats, including Nick Russell, in Kentish Town last week, where there is a by-election for one of the local council seats. Nick was one of the Lib Dem Councillors for the area previously.

“It was really good knocking on doors and talking to local people about issues that they are worried about. Clearly people are concerned about the terrible state of the economy after years of a Labour Government spending beyond their means. However, education was an important issue for a number of residents as well as very local issues which Nick and the local Lib Dems are helping with” commented Caroline.

Working with Brent Liberal Democrats, Caroline Pidgeon has put pressure on the Mayor to investigate the worrying level of accidents on the 142 bus route which runs from Watford to Brent Cross along the Edgware Road.

Caroline's questioning at Mayor's Question Time revealed that on the route last year there were 51 accidents - almost an accident every week!

Brent Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson, Councillor Daniel Brown, said:

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor’s announcement on bus, tube and tram fare rises, which include plans to hike the cost of One Day Travelcards by up to 74%, said:

“The Mayor was insulting Londoners by burying bad news like this on the day the Comprehensive Spending Review was announced.

The Evening Standard reports on the calls for an inquiry into the chaos on the tube last week, when power failures left thousands of passengers stranded in tunnels.

The Standard quotes Caroline Pidgeon:

Apologies are simply not enough. People are paying ever higher fares and deserve a far better service.

“As the Mayor is chairman of Transport for London, he needs to come before the Assembly, explain why such a horrific situation has occurred and provide clear assurances as to how similar incidents will be avoided.

You can read the full story here.