As the London Assembly Transport Committee launched its report into London's river crossings, "Bridging the Thames", committee chair Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
The closure of Hammersmith Bridge to vehicles and pedestrians was an international embarrassment and a clear example of the disruption that can be caused because of a lack of investment and coordination.
On 29 October, Caroline fomally received the London Cycling Campaign’s 7500-signature petition to the Mayor, calling for urgent action on dangerous junctions. It will be formally presented to the Mayor on 11 November.
Caroline met the LCC campaigners at the junction of Theobald’s Road and Southampton Row in Holborn – part of the Holborn Gyratory, where seven cyclists have lost their lives since 2008.
Caroline said:
“It is hugely regrettable that another petition calling for action to address such a dangerous junction and stretch of road is even necessary.
After obtaining figures showing that thousands of motorists are fined every week for driving banned vehicles through the Rotherhithe Tunnel, Caroline Pidgeon has called for Transport for London to focus on prevention rather than fines, by making the tunnel rules as clear as possible.
Caroline told the Southwark News:
“With 76,000 Penalty Charge Notices awarded in the first eight months of this year, at least £5 million in fines, there is no doubt this is a useful income stream for TfL.
Caroline has written to the Minister for Rail, supporting the campaign by the St Marylebone Society and others to push for replacements for the dirty diesel trains currently operating on the Marylebone to Birmingham route.
We're in a climate emergency and we need action at all levels.
In October's Mayor's Question Time, Caroline questioned the Mayor of London on enforcement and awareness of the law around private e-scooter use on London’s public roads and pavements – which remains illegal. Caroline got the Mayor to agree to several actions.
After an inspection report showed that the central section of Crossrail will not be able to open until May 2022, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“Crossrail has been plagued with exaggerated claims about its progress and in the last three years opening dates have repeatedly turned out to be wildly over optimistic.
“Even at the beginning of the year it was being claimed that the central section would be open by this Christmas.
Plans for serious cuts to train services across south west London from December 2022 are premature and unjustified – that is the clear message that has been sent to South Western Railway by the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group.
The London Assembly has unanimously backed Caroline Pidgeon's motion calling on the Mayor to reverse the restrictions that prevent Freedom Pass holders using their pass in morning peak hours.
Caroline said:
“The suspension of concessionary travel for 60+ Oyster photocard and Older Person’s Freedom Pass holders before 9am on weekdays was supposed to be only a temporary measure, yet it is still in place 15 months after it was first introduced and with no indication as to when it will be finally lifted.
Questioning the Mayor, Caroline pushed again for urgent action to ensure the Holborn Gyratory is made safe for cyclists.
Caroline said:
We were promised action 3 years ago. Covid can’t be blamed for everything.
Caroline Pidgeon has written to the CEO of Govia Thameslink Railway, calling for the cuts to Thameslink services to be reversed and the service to be restored to the frequency that is already being achieved on other rail lines.
Caroline commented:
Thameslink's timetable has been significantly reduced during August, yet passengers are still facing last-minute cancellations.