Caroline Pidgeon

The Romford Recorder covers Transport for London's abolition of a Havering-based forum for local users of its Dial-a-Ride service, which provides buses for the disabled and infirm.

Caroline Pidgeon, who has been following Dial-a-Ride issues closely, is quoted saying:

I seriously question how many people Dial-a-Ride have listened to and I suspect the real reason for the regional forums is because they are more convenient for Transport for London.

You can read the paper's full story here.

The 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.

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.

The Romford Recorder reports on the failure of TfL's Dial-a-Ride service to meet elderly and disabled residents' needs in Havering.

Caroline is quoted saying:

It is time that Boris Johnson stopped making excuses over Dial-a-Ride and instead honestly admit that its service falls a long way short of what is necessary for some of the most vulnerable people in London.

The full story is here.