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Crossrail is vital but needs to learn lessons

24 February 2010 - 9:15pm — Administrator

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.

Video: monitoring the Crossrail project

12 February 2010 - 9:43pm — Administrator

From 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.

Disabled people should not be second class citizens on Ilford buses

23 December 2009 - 8:08pm — Administrator

The Mayor of London will soon be hearing about access problems facing wheelchair users on Ilford buses following a recent visit to Ilford by Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee.

On Wednesday (16th December) Caroline took up an invitation from Councillor Shoaib Patel to visit Ilford and find out at first hand some of the specific problems facing wheelchair users in using local buses, with a detailed briefing provided to her by wheelchair user Max Reid.

The issues raised with Caroline Pidgeon and Councillor Patel included ramps frequently not working or being too steep and also the lack of space on some buses for wheelchair users. Caroline Pidgeon and Councillor Patel also heard about the unhelpful attitude of some drivers towards disabled bus passengers.

Following the visit Caroline Pidgeon has promised to raise all the issues raised in Ilford with Boris Johnson through a series of written questions at the next Mayor’s Question Time in January.

Keeping track of Crossrail

22 December 2009 - 10:49am — 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.

Caroline speaks to Leyton and Wanstead Lib Dems

13 December 2009 - 8:23pm — Administrator

Caroline was the guest speaker at Leyton and Wanstead Liberal Democrats’ AGM in November.

The rise in bus fares of 20%, threats to the Freedom Pass and concerns about City Airport noise and expansion were just some of the issues discussed.

Lib Dems oppose doubling flights from City Airport

6 October 2009 - 7:44pm — Administrator

Leyton & Wanstead Liberal Democrats last Friday hosted a public meeting about the expansion at which London LibDem MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford and London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon spoke and a debate was held. Campaign groups 'Fight the Flights' and the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) were also represented.

Newham Council recently agreed a more than doubling of flights from London City Airport from the current level of 73,000 flights a year. They are permitting 120,000 by the end of this year and 170,000 by the end of 2010. It is in fact believed (by Fight the Flights) that a further bid for 217,000 flights is contemplated, which would be a tripling of present capacity.

Both the Tube and Crossrail are essential for London

18 May 2009 - 8:31pm — Administrator

On Friday 15th May, Caroline attended an event to witness the start of the construction of Crossrail with the Mayor of London and Prime Minister.

When it is completed in 2017, Crossrail will go from Maidenhead in the West through to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the East, taking in Heathrow, Paddington, Farringdon and Stratford in between. (You can see a map of the route here.)

Campaigning for Shoaib Patel in Redbridge

26 January 2009 - 11:27am — Administrator

Caroline Pidgeon AM spent Sunday knocking on doors with Shoaib Patel, candidate in the Valentines Ward by-election.

“Despite the rain, many residents opened their doors to chat with us about a number of issues of concern from the closure of the swimming pool to the lack of youth facilities and the state of the streets. As a local candidate I am sure that Shoaib will be a strong voice for the area on the Council” said Caroline.

Mayor must seek private funding

10 November 2008 - 10:16pm — Administrator

Caroline Pidgeon AM, London Assembly Liberal Democrat lead on transport, commenting on Transport for London's Ten Year Business Plan, published today, said:

“It is staggering that schemes such as the Cross River Tram, the Croydon Tramlink Extension, East London Transit, Greenwich Waterfront Transit and plans for an Oxford street tram appear to have been scrapped with nothing in their place apart from, perhaps, a few more polluting diesel buses.

Caroline campaigns with Helen Duffett in Redbridge

14 July 2008 - 9:33pm — Administrator

Caroline joined candidate Helen Duffett and Denys Robinson, Chair of London Region, for an afternoon of campaigning in the Cranbrook Ward by-election which took place on Thursday 10th July. Helen was a superb candidate and worked hard with the team.

“It was a pleasure to help such a hard working and fun candidate – I think Helen is someone to watch in Redbridge” said London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon.