Caroline's news

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Assembly Transport spokesperson, commenting on plans by Conservative MPs to oppose the Business Rate Supplements Bill at its Second Reading, said:

”David Cameron’s Tories cannot afford to play politics with Crossrail. After such extensive delays it is hard to believe that the Tories are willing to take such dangerous risks over the future of Crossrail.

“Blocking such legislation also shows how naïve the Conservative party are, as such legislation will almost certainly be necessary for a new high speed rail link.

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Liberal Democrat campaigners in East Wickham Ward in Bexley on Sunday 11th January, to support Grace Goodlad’s by-election campaign to become the new councillor for the area on 22nd January.

“Lots of really important issues came up on the doorstep from protecting local open spaces to tackling crime” said Caroline. “Many residents are concerned about the cost of council tax and the recent hike in fares on trains and buses. I hope local residents will back Grace Goodlad for a strong voice for East Wickham”.

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat Transport spokeswoman on the London Assembly, commenting on today’s London Underground PPP Report, said:

“London Underground has an immense amount of ground to recover since taking over the failed Metronet contracts. We should take some comfort that from an appalling low base it appears to be making good headway at lower cost. In many respects the PPP report gives us the first glimpse of public sector versus the private sector in maintaining and upgrading the Tube.

Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon has persuaded Boris Johnson to support the campaign to ensure that the massive costs of the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes are shared more fairly. At present the bill of over £4 million is falling on the council taxpayers of the London Boroughs of Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.

Questioned by Caroline Pidgeon the Mayor accepted that the costs of the inquest were exceptional and that it was unfair that the costs of the inquest are being paid by just four London Boroughs.

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson,
commenting on today’s announcement that passengers will be able to use their Oyster cards on almost all London’s rail network by the end of the summer said:

"Londoners have had to wait far too long to use "pay-as-you-go" Oyster cards at National Rail stations.