Transport articles

The Mayor is evasive and misleading on Murdoch links

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on reports that Boris Johnson failed to declare to the London Assembly a dinner he attended at Rupert Murdoch's home just days before the Metropolitan Police launched a new inquiry into phone hacking, said:

“Boris Johnson failed to declare the hospitality he received from Rupert Murdoch in both his monthly report to the London Assembly, and in the GLA's Register of gifts and hospitality. In addition to this evasiveness he then provided a misleading written answer to a London Assembly Member.

20 June 2012 - 10:53pm

Questions over Thames Cable Car still remain

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the announcement that the Thames Cable Car will open from midday on Thursday 28th June said:

“It is welcome news that the Thames Cable Car will be open before the Olympic Games, as additional forms of transport will be helpful in dealing with the exceptional pressures the capital will face later this Summer, and help spectators travel between the Excel and O2 venues.

20 June 2012 - 10:52pm

New research exposes the Mayor’s neglect of pedestrian crossings

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on new research this week from the University College London revealing that four in five pensioners cannot cross the road quickly enough to safely use pedestrian crossings due to the assumption that people of all ages are capable of walking at a speed of just under four feet (1.2m) a second said:

“This is vital research which reveals just how ungenerous the national standard actually is for the time given to pedestrians to cross the road.

16 June 2012 - 12:01am

Waterloo & City Sunday service is welcome

As TfL announced that the Waterloo & City line will run on Sundays during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in an attempt to relive congestion, Caroline Pidgeon told the Evening Standard:

“This is a welcome development. Transport for London should use this opportunity to examine potential weekend demand and see whether there is a case for regularly running trains every weekend.”

13 June 2012 - 11:12pm

Thames cable car - we need answers on costs and fares

Speaking to the Evening Standard about the Thames cable car that is shortly to open, Caroline Pidgeon said:

“After misleading Londoners and claiming two years ago that the Thames cable car would not cost a penny of taxpayers’ money it is time the Mayor provided some honest answers.

“Not only do we need to know when it will finally open but the Mayor must also tell us how much a ride will cost and whether Oyster will be accepted from the start.”

13 June 2012 - 11:10pm

Urgent action needed to prevent Olympic travel chaos

Talking to the Evening Standard after several days plagued by Tube line suspensions, Caroline Pidgeon said:

"It is bad enough that there were even planned Tube closures over these last few special days.

"However last night's suspensions on three more Tube lines were a dampener to the weekend and Bank Holidays matched only by the weather."

"With just 50 days to go to the start of the Olympics we need far clearer assurances from the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) that the Games will not be disrupted by this type of repeated Tube chaos."

You can read the full story here in the Evening Standard. And read more at The Week.

9 June 2012 - 12:46am

Mayor needs to provide answers about Wi-Fi deal

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the first London Underground stations named for WiFi service, this Summer said:

"Provision of Wi-Fi at a few London Underground stations this Summer is welcome, but the key issue is how long it will actually be free for most passengers.

"It is time the Mayor provided far more information about the commercial deal that he has entered into with Virgin Media."

The Mayor of London has so far refused to answer a number of key questions about the commercial contract with Virgin Media (examples here, here, here and here).

1 June 2012 - 11:24pm

Explosive threat confirms the folly of "Boris Island" airport plans

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Department of Transport’s report into the survey carried out on the SS Richard Montgomery ship which was wrecked with 1,400 tons of TNT explosives inside it, and is located near to where the proposed ‘Boris Island’ airport would be situated, said:

“The threat of this cargo ship being blown sky high by any construction work needed for an airport in this location is a risk not worth taking. The devastation and chaos caused by an explosion would be immense.

30 May 2012 - 11:10pm

Greenwich to be a flagship for cycle-friendly spaces

Greenwich Lib Dem Chris Smith writes on his blog to welcome the news that - after questioning from Caroline Pidgeon in the London Assembly last week - the Mayor has identified Greenwich, Vauxhall Cross and Croydon as pilot areas for new combined cycle and pedestrian spaces which will be separated from motor traffic. The London Cycling Campaign has been strongly making the case for this in its "Love London, Go Dutch" campaign.

You can read Chris's full article here.

30 May 2012 - 10:52pm

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