Transport articles

Southeastern's Olympic cuts to train services challenged

Caroline Pidgeon has sharply criticised Southeastern's plans to scale back local train services during the 2012 Games. Commenting on Southeastern's proposals to reduce the frequency of some train services and to even remove some stations from their timetable, Caroline said:

"Ensuring more people can get into London to visit Olympic venues will of course create challenges for Southeastern, however Southeastern's approach to tackling these challenges is completely wrong. Putting on extra carriages and extra staff at stations is the best way to ensure that the needs of local commuters and visitors are both met, while ensuring a reliable service is also maintained.

"Southeastern must listen to the outrage they have created amongst residents in Greenwich and Deptford and back down over their completely daft proposals."

15 May 2011 - 6:50pm

Another week, another broken Jubilee Line promise

A promise made by the Mayor of London and Transport for London that an improved timetable and increased capacity will be seen on the Jubilee Line from early July will not now happen, according to new documents discovered by Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group.

As recently as the 28th April Transport for London issued a press release stating that a new timetable will be introduced on the Jubilee Line to increase capacity and reliability from 24 to 27 trains an hour “from July”, with the clear suggestion that the improvements would start from the very beginning of the month.

However, only last week, papers tabled at an internal TfL meeting showed that the new timetable was actually planned to only start on 31st July 2011, in effect a month later than promised.

13 May 2011 - 12:49am

Assembly committee launches investigation into Tube upgrade performance

The London Assembly Transport Committee today launches an investigation into how the Tube is performing, looking line by line at what the upgrade programme has delivered, compared to what it promised.

The Tube is now busier than ever in its history, but the timetable for the upgrade programme - which is has a target of a 30 per cent increase in overall capacity by 2020 - has slipped, particularly on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

9 May 2011 - 9:47pm

Impressive work on Farringdon station upgrade

Caroline Pidgeon AM joined Baroness Sarah Ludford, London’s Lib Dem MEP, and local Councillor George Allan for a tour around Farringdon Station. The Station is being rebuilt by the end of 2011 as part of the Thameslink programme, but also preparing for Crossrail.

When both of these transport programmes are complete by 2018, this will be one of the busiest stations in London and a very important interchange for people wanting to travel to all London airports and St Pancras International Station.

8 May 2011 - 8:12pm

Why are there yet more delays on the Jubilee Line?

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on today’s admission by the Mayor and Transport for London that weekend closures and upgrade work on the Jubilee Line will not be completed until July, said:

“The Mayor, who is Chair of Transport for London, must now apologise to Londoners for this further delay in completing the upgrade of the Jubilee Line.

28 April 2011 - 10:01pm

Caroline backs campaign to save lives of cyclists

Across London's roads regrettably, about one cyclist dies every month, with a disproportionate amount of these fatalities being women struck by left-turning lorries. There are measures that be taken to prevent these deaths, especially through the use of the Triximirror. This is s simple device, mounted at a junction, that allows a lorry driver a clear view of their left hand side as they pass through intersections. Despite their low cost, there are just 30 Triximirrors in operation across London.

A campaign to ensure their roll-out across London has been started by campaigners in Camden. You can see full details of the campaign, which has the full support of Caroline, here at the Guardian website.

You can also support the campaign by signing the petition here.

27 April 2011 - 10:44pm

Mayor’s childish blame game over tube chaos must end

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and vice chair of the London Assembly Transport committee, commenting on the mayhem that has faced hundreds of thousands of tube passengers this week, and the part suspension of six of the 11 tube lines over the Easter break, said:

"The Mayor boasts that ‘I am Transport for London', yet has now entered into a childish blame game following the mayhem this week on the underground and the further problems expected over Easter.

21 April 2011 - 11:10pm

Caroline explores Streatham Green pedestrianisation

Caroline joined local Lib Dem Cllr Brian Palmer and the Streatham Town Centre Manager in Streatham to have a look at the area near Streatham Green. Local Lib Dem councillors are supporting an idea to close off access to Babington Road from Mitcham Lane, to allow the area to be pedestrianised joining up a large area of pavement with the green.

“This could really help boost this part of Streatham with the potential for a market or other activities in this space. I have made enquiries to TfL to see if they might support this initiative” commented Caroline.

20 April 2011 - 10:18pm

Campaigning in Sutton on Fairer Votes and transport

Caroline was out and about in Sutton with Paul Burstow MP talking to residents about the Fairer Votes referendum and discussing local issues.

Caroline also took the opportunity to look at some local transport concerns with Paul Burstow MP and London Assembly Candidate Shas Sheehan.

"It was really interesting talking to local residents in Sutton to hear about local concerns. The overwhelming message was the need for a better voting system!" commented Caroline.

20 April 2011 - 10:07pm

Caroline speaks to London businesses on transport

On Thursday 14th April Caroline was the guest speaker at the London Chamber of Commerce. Over a light breakfast, Caroline outline a number of challenges for business, focusing on the area of transport and the need to increase capacity through projects such as Crossrail, Thameslink and the tube upgrades.

“It was really good to meet a number of businesses in London and to hear their concerns. From road congestion, to problems on the tube and rail networks, to concerns around capacity throughout the 2012 Games, it was useful to find out the issues that really impact on London’s economy and what possible solutions there might be” commented Caroline.

20 April 2011 - 9:59pm

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