Transport articles

Why are Southeastern repeating the same mistakes again?

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the widespread failure of Southeastern to provide accurate information to its passengers over the last two days of snowfall, including many of its information boards at its stations not even working, said:

“Back in January during the two days of snow Southeastern passengers faced a double whammy of a much reduced train service combined with an appalling lack of useful information being provided by the train company.

5 December 2010 - 8:51pm

Caroline presents awards for London Cycling Campaign

Caroline Pidgeon joined the London Cycling Campaign for their 2010 AGM in November. Caroline spoke in a question and answer session, and also presented awards for some of the best cycling initiatives across London.

Photo: Caroline presents the Streets Of Growth project team with their award for the best cycling project for young people.

5 December 2010 - 8:46pm

Bill for Central and Hammersmith & City replacement buses nears £1m

Shepherd's Bush blogger Chris Underwood reports on Caroline Pidgeon's questioning of the Mayor, which revealed that £927,000 has been spent so far in 2010 on replacement buses to cover the closure of the Central and Hammersmith & City Lines.

Chris also points out Caroline's work in revealing the Mayor's waste of £39m on a feasibility study for a lift in the new Shepherd's Bush station:

5 December 2010 - 8:37pm

£11.6m cost of replacement buses for Jubilee Line closures

The Independent and the Daily Mail have both covered the Mayor's admission, in response to questions from Caroline Pidgeon, that £11.6m has been spent so far on rail replacement bus services during the Jubilee Line upgrade works.

Caroline said:

The delayed upgrades to the Jubilee Line has been bad enough for passengers and businesses, who have had to put up with terrible disruption and closures for far too long. It is now rubbing salt into the wound to discover that farepayers are picking up another huge bill.

5 December 2010 - 8:04pm

Thameslink go-ahead is a great day for commuters

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on today’s confirmation that Thameslink will go ahead in its entirety, virtually doubling the number of north-south trains running through central London at peak times said:

“This announcement is a great day for commuters and London’s economy.

“Firstly Crossrail and now the confirmation that the Thameslink project will go head in full means that train capacity across the whole of London will be greatly increased within an decade.

“At a time of such tight public finances and when difficult short term decisions are having to be made in so many areas it is excellent news that long term plans to improve transport in London have not been compromised.”

29 November 2010 - 9:30pm

Mayor's refusal of new crossing is bad news for Southwark Park users and pedestrians

Caroline Pidgeon, commenting on the refusal of the Mayor and Transport for London to provide a signalised crossing on Jamaica Road by Southwark Park, said:

"The Mayor's refusal of a much needed signalised crossing on Jamaica Road by Southwark Park is appalling news for the users of the park and the many other pedestrians who simply want to cross the road in safety and with ease.

"Despite announcing that 2011 will be the Year of Walking, the Mayor repeatedly shows he is unable to properly consider the interests of pedestrians."

24 November 2010 - 10:38pm

Westminster Hall debate on High Speed 2

MPs debated the High Speed 2 scheme in Westminster hall on 23rd November. Lib Dem MP Martin Horwood (beginning around 10:24 on the video) discussed the impact of the scheme and mentioned Caroline Pidgeon's campaigning work with Camden residents who will be affected by the building of the new line.

23 November 2010 - 8:25pm

Victory for common sense as Mayor backs down over Jamaica Road bus lane

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has welcomed the decision of the Mayor and Transport for London as a “victory for common sense” to finally accept the need for a review of whether a 24-hour bus lane should continue on Jamaica Road.

Over the last two years, Caroline Pidgeon has regularly urged the Mayor to consider reviewing the hours that the bus lane operates, yet in response to repeated questions the Mayor has consistently refused. As recently as March of this year the Mayor confirmed that Transport for London had no plans at all to review the operation hours of the bus lane.

Commenting on the sudden change of mind by the Mayor and Transport for London Caroline Pidgeon said:
“This is a victory for common sense and I am delighted that finally the Mayor and Transport for London have listened to the views of local residents, councillors and Simon Hughes MP on this issue. I know many residents find the 24-hour operation of this bus lane incredibly frustrating and want action to end the snail-paced traffic on Jamaica Road.

23 November 2010 - 8:17pm

One in ten Londoners cannot access public transport

More than one in 10 Londoners are excluded from large sections of the public transport network because buses, trains and stations are not accessible to people with reduced mobility - and the situation is set to get worse, says a new study from the London Assembly Transport Committee.

The detailed study reveals that there far more needs to be done to introduce step-free access and other accessibility measures, and points out that by 2031, more than a million Londoners will have reduced mobility

In particular:

19 November 2010 - 11:14pm

Why do we still not know how noisy London has become?

Speaking on the first day of the judicial review into the decision by Newham Council to allow 50% more flights a year from London City Airport, Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, said:

“I wish the campaigners every success with their legal action. The aviation industry has a long record of exaggerating their economic importance while denying the true impact they have in terms of noise, disturbance and harm to the environment, and this is especially the case in relation to City Airport.

18 November 2010 - 9:53pm

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