Caroline's news

Speaking to the Camden New Journal, Caroline Pidgeon has criticised the arrogance of HS2, the company set up by the government to develop a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham, in failing to consult and communicate with residents who will be affected by its plans.

Caroline said:

Not only have residents not been contacted, but as the vice chair of the transport committee I have been given no information from HS2 – that is just completely unheard of for a project of this scale. It shows a worrying degree of arrogance.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the decision by Conservative Assembly Members to once again walk out of the chamber at City Hall and prevent important items being debated by the London Assembly today, said:

"It is shameful that the London Assembly has today been prevented from debating key issues including the threat to people living in homes owned by the Crown Estates and the planned reduction in opening hours at tube ticket offices. These are bread and butter issue for Londoners and the London Assembly is here to make sure London's voice is heard.

"This disgraceful behaviour by Conservative London Assembly Members is an insult to the democratic process.”

Speaking ahead of the industrial action starting later this evening on the London Underground network, Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and Deputy Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, said:

“This is a strike that should not be taking place. Both London Underground and the unions are guilty of failing to put passengers first.”

“For too London Underground have tried to claim that most ticket offices provide no useful purpose and that many stations sell fewer than 10 tickets an hour. In reality this only applies to eight stations. The savage reduction of office opening hours at 90% of ticket offices on the Tube network will inconvenience many passengers, especially disabled people and visitors to London. Some vulnerable people might even be deterred from using the tube.

“However the TSSA and RMT unions are failing to make their case to Tube passengers. Strike action will not help keep ticket office hours open. By striking they are just throwing away a great deal of goodwill from the traveling public.”

Caroline joined local Camden Lib Dem Cllr Chris Naylor on Friday 3rd September on a visit to look at the possible route for High Speed 2 from Euston north, under many homes in the Primrose Hill area.

Chris and Caroline met some local residents who are active in the Primrose Hill HS2 Group to discuss the plans and hear their many concerns about the lack of consultation, the depth of the proposed tunnels and the quality of the proposal to date, which appears to have little evidence base.

"I believe that High Speed Rail is a good development in terms of cutting reliance on internal flights and those over to the continent. However, we have to ensure that the impact of high speed rail on local communities is minimised. I am concerned about the potential impact this will have on Primrose Hill - both in terms of planning blight and actual physical damage - if it goes ahead as planned” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Caroline joined local Lib Dem campaigner Andrew Dakers on 2nd September when they visited Hanworth Road in Hounslow to meet residents who have been living on a piece of derelict land since May. The land which is owned by Transport for London, used to be used for drug dealing and taking and has been reclaimed by members of the community. There are now up to 20 people living there where they have created an artists studio, a vegetable spiral and other planting has taken place. They also hold open community events.