Greenwich + London-wide stories
Out on the river with the Port of London Authority
2 September 2010 - 10:14pm — Administrator
The Port of London Authority is the body which manages the River Thames from Teddington all the way to the sea. The PLA’s responsibilities include ensuring navigational safety along the Tidal Thames, promoting use of the River and safeguarding the environment. The PLA works in partnership with commercial, recreational, community and amenity groups and organisations to ensure the Thames continues to be a safe and enjoyable environment for trade, recreation and tourism.
Caroline spent an afternoon out on the river with the Chief Harbour Master David Snelson, Director of Corporate Affairs, Alistair Gale and Head of Planning and Partnership, Jim Trimmer.
The visit included a close look at the works at Blackfriars bridge for the new Thameslink railway station which will span the river – and we hope will be renamed Blackfriars and Bankside. All of the materials are being brought to the site along the river which we also witnessed as we travelled down the river towards Greenwich and then past the Thames Barrier.
Jubilee Line fiasco must lead to new policy on tube upgrades
12 August 2010 - 9:44pm — AdministratorCaroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on today’s apology by London Underground for the years of suffering faced by passengers on the Jubilee Line and the announcement that there will still be 15 weekends of full or partial closures before Christmas, said:
"This is grim news for all the Jubilee Line passengers who have suffered so much disruption over months and years. There is no light at the end of the tunnel just more and more closures.
Caroline joins Lib Dems from across London and the UK at Pride 2010
19 July 2010 - 9:21pm — Administrator
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the London Assembly Lib Dems, joined senior Lib Dems including Lynne Featherstone MP, Sarah Ludford MEP, and party president Ros Scott, at the Pride London 2010 event on Saturday 3rd July - the UK's largest annual LGBT event.
Assembly team explores noise impact of City Airport
19 June 2010 - 9:52pm — Administrator
On Thursday 10 June Caroline joined other Assembly Members on a visit to meet residents who live near City Airport to hear their concerns about noise and pollution. The members then went and visited City Airport to talk to their Chief Executive and team about their plans and ways they work with the community.
"It was interesting to see around City Airport and to talk to local people about the impact it has on their lives. It is clear that all noise from airplanes using different airports needs to be mapped together in one place so that we can really understand the noise impact of London's airports on different parts of the capital," commented Caroline Pidgeon.
The Jubilee Line deserves later opening hours
21 March 2010 - 7:28pm — AdministratorThe Mayor has been urged to deliver on his pledge to Londoners to extend the tube’s opening hours on Friday and Saturday nights, starting with the Jubilee Line, at today’s Mayor’s Question Time (Wednesday 17th March).
Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, reminded the Mayor of his specific election pledge to extend the opening hours of the whole tube network for one hour later on both Friday and Saturday nights.
Speaking after her question to the Mayor she said:
“The Mayor was elected promising to extend the opening hours of the whole tube network. It is now time he honoured his pledge, starting with the Jubilee Line, where the upgrade works be completed this year.
“Everyone who uses this line has already faced months of inconvenience and many traders that rely on weekend and evening business have been hit for six. If there is one line that deserves to benefit from longer hours it must be the Jubilee Line.
Crossrail is vital but needs to learn lessons
24 February 2010 - 10:15pm — AdministratorThe London Assembly Transport Committee has launched a new report, questioning the sums Londoners are paying for the Crossrail project, and criticising the way compulsory purchases of businesses and homes have been handled.
In the report, 'Light at the end of the tunnel', the Committee recognises the value of the £16bn rail link project, which will bring an extra 10% capacity on London’s overcrowded rail and Tube network, thousands of new jobs and a massive boost to the national economy.
However, it questions the fairness of Londoners contributing the majority of the funding, when 8 of the 37 stations are outside Greater London, and the project is expected to generate £22bn for central government over the next ten years. It also points out Crossrail's poor handling of displaced businesses and residents whose premises are compulsory purchased to make way for construction work, especially in Soho.
Incredible progress on the Olympics site
22 February 2010 - 9:24pm — Administrator
Caroline went on a trip around the Olympics site on Friday 19th February, to look at the progress that is being made on transforming this huge site into the Olympic Park.
“The progress since I last visited two years ago is incredible. The design of the aquatics centre, velodrome and stadium is quite exceptional. I can’t wait to see the finished venues!” said Caroline Pidgeon.
Video: monitoring the Crossrail project
12 February 2010 - 10:43pm — AdministratorFrom the site of the station redevelopment at Tottenham Court Road, Caroline Pidgeon explains how the London Assembly Transport Committee will be monitoring the Crossrail project to ensure it is on time, on budget and delivers the extra transport capacity that London urgently needs.
Looking forward to the new East London Line
4 February 2010 - 9:39pm — Administrator
On Thursday 28th January Caroline went on a visit to look at the new East London Line Extension works and to view the extension of the Docklands Light Railway.
Caroline visited New Cross Gate Depot and saw the new trains for the line, as well as looking at the new station and works at Shoreditch.
The DLR visit included a trip out to Stratford and down to Woolwich via City Airport.
“The extension of the DLR and the works on the new East London Line were very impressive and it is great to see so much investment going into public transport. I can’t wait for the East London Line to reopen” said Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon.
Keeping track of Crossrail
22 December 2009 - 11:49am — Administrator
Caroline went on a site visit on Friday 18th December to look at works at Tottenham Court Road for Crossrail and the upgrade of the London Underground Station.
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