In an Evening Standard article on Boris Johnson's failure to meet his election pledge to extend Tube opening hours on Friday and Saturday nights, Caroline Pidgeon comments:
Extending Tube opening hours across the whole underground on Friday and Saturday nights was one of the most high-profile promises that Boris Johnson made to Londoners to secure his election. Yet so far he has not added a minute to the opening hours of even one line.
Caroline attended a special Ibero-American event at the Elephant and Castle on Sunday 11th April, speaking to thousands of Londoners.
Caroline stressed the need for people to register to vote and to use their vote.
“Only the Liberal Democrats have the big ideas for fundamental structural changes in the way our country works to make it fair” commented Caroline.
Caroline also highlighted Gloria Gormez and Fernanda Correia Sefzick who are standing in Princes Ward and Stockwell Ward in Lambeth.
The London SE1 website has an article on the calls by Simon Hughes MP and Caroline Pidgeon AM for the subway at Bricklayers Arms to be closed down, following recent muggings in the underpasses.
You can read the full story here.
Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem chair of the London Assembly's Transport Committee, has proposed a five-point plan to get the Northern line upgrade completed with the minimum possible disruption to residents and businesses who rely on the line.
In a letter to Ed Fordham, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn, Caroline makes these proposals:
Caroline joined fellow Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates at a visit to Edgware on Thursday 1st April to see the upgrade works for the Northern line trains. Run by private partner Tubelines, the delegation talked to Tubelines staff about the problems with the proposed closures to the Northern line whilst it is upgraded and discussed other options such as closing smaller bits of the line for a week or two at a time to get the works done quickly and without damaging business for many traders as well as local residents.
“It was very interesting to see the upgrade works to the trains, in particular the huge amount of cabling that is hidden behind the walls of the trains! I hope that Tubelines and Transport for London will get together and find a way forward so that we can get the upgrades done as quickly and painlessly as possible for the sake of Londoners” added Caroline.
Caroline joined Southwark Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes MP and special guest Theo Paphitis, from Dragon’s Den fame and former Chair of Millwall Football Club, to launch the Southwark Liberal Democrat campaign for the Council, and Simon Hughes's re-election campaign for Bermondsey and Old Southwark.
“It was wonderful to see so many local members and residents who came to support Simon and the team, as well as to meet Theo” said Caroline.
In March Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats came to the Salvation Army at the Elephant and Castle to deliver a keynote speech on poverty.
Nick Clegg declared that schools are at the heart of his vision for fairness. He said: “Under our plans smaller classes won’t be a privilege reserved for the rich. Our Pupil Premium raises the funding per pupil for poorer children to the same levels as the money spent per pupil in private schools. Head teachers can use that money to have smaller classes, like in fee paying schools, taking our poorest children a huge leap towards an education they would otherwise never be able to afford.”
He also attacked the Tories for failing to spell out their plans: “The Conservatives have also promised to target funding towards disadvantaged pupils. But they have committed precisely no pounds and no pence.
The Evening Standard reports on the disruption caused to drivers and bus passengers by the major roadworks which affect thousands of roads in London every day.
Caroline Pidgeon is quoted saying:
London's road network has probably never faced so much disturbance. For too many people their daily journeys are both unpredictable and horrendously slow.
As well as bridge and tunnel closures, thousands of roads are being dug up by Thames Water, not to mention other utility companies.
On Tuesday a report looking into what is needed on the Brandon Estate was launched by the Blackfriars Settlement, Newington ward councillors and Simon Hughes MP. The report showed that the majority of people like living on the estate, but that improved security and more social activities would make it better still.
Newington ward councillor Caroline Pidgeon, who chaired the launch event, said:
Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, commenting on a recent statement by Peter Hendy (Commissioner of Transport for London) that a firm commitment has still not been received from central Government for an additional £7 million funding contribution towards a new station being built at Surrey Canal Road said:
“This is seriously bad news for North Lewisham and for South Bermondsey.
“Despite predictions that a new station would be used by 1.3 million passengers a year and help bring significant investment to the area it seems the Department of Transport are now dithering over whether to support this much needed new station. Without a station at Surrey Canal Road many of the benefits of the second phase of the East London Line extension will be denied to many residents in North Lewisham.
“It is time the Department for Transport clarified their position once and for all. Does their previous pledge to contribute £7 million for this much needed station still stand?