Southwark + London-wide stories
Surrey Canal Road station campaign must continue – Caroline Pidgeon
2 September 2010 - 10:27pm — AdministratorCaroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has received final confirmation this week that the Department of Transport will not provide £7 million in funding required to build a new train station at Surrey Canal Road.
Funding for the proposed station on the second phase of the East London Line has been considered by the Department of Transport over an extensive period of time. After lengthy delays in making a decision both Boris Johnson and Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, wrote on the 14th December 2009 to the previous transport minister urging that a final decision was made .
Commenting on the Minister’s reply Caroline Pidgeon, who is deputy chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, said:
“It is a great shame that after so many delays and passing of the buck that this situation has arisen. A crucial window of opportunity has long passed to quickly build a station. Sadly it is no longer possible to build a station and ensure its opening coincided with the opening of the second phase of the East London Line.
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.
New name for Blackfriars station could provide huge boost to Bankside - Simon Hughes MP and Caroline Pidgeon AM
1 September 2010 - 9:18pm — AdministratorKey local attractions such as the Tate Modern and the Globe as well as the many businesses on the South Bank could be set to receive a huge boost if Network Rail agrees to change the name of the new Blackfriars station to Blackfriars & Bankside.
Simon Hughes, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, and Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Leader, have now received an assurance from Network Rail that serious consideration is being given to the proposal. Ian Coucher, Chief Executive of Network Rail has stated that he is “sympathetic” to the proposal and has initiated further work to be carried to examine the practical implications of the name change.
Video: Getting Londoners walking
12 August 2010 - 10:22pm — AdministratorIn this video, Caroline reports from Mile End, Islington and Peckham on her findings as part of the London Assembly Transport Committee's investigation into making walking in London safer and more attractive.
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.
Southwark Lib Dems summer barbecue
7 August 2010 - 5:27pm — Administrator
Caroline joined other Southwark Liberal Democrats at the wonderful Surrey Docks Water Sports Centre for a summer barbecue and taster of sailing and kayaking on the water.
“It was a fantastic day out and I particularly enjoyed watching colleagues out on the water learning to kayak and of course, to see Cllr Jeff Hook sailing one of the boats. The food was also excellent – thanks to Alvin and Lorraine for the veggie barbecue. Looking forward to next year’s event!” commented Caroline.
Street Audit in Peckham
7 August 2010 - 5:17pm — Administrator
Caroline took part in a street audit with London Living Streets on Friday 6th August as part of her investigation into making walking safer and easier in London. (Go to the London Assembly website for more about the investigation.)
Caroline and the team from City Hall joined Jeremy and Phillipa from Living Streets to walk around the centre of Peckham looking at challenges to walking in different areas. Living Streets is a UK charity which works with local people and government to create safe, attractive, enjoyable streets where the needs of people are prioritised over traffic, where local people are involved in decision making and where walking is the natural choice for short journeys. As part of its work to help improve local environments, Living Streets carries out community street audits.
The London Promenade project
7 August 2010 - 5:04pm — Administrator
Caroline has started work on her report looking at making walking in London easier and safer. The report will be reviewing the Mayor’s funding for walking schemes ahead of his 2011 year of walking in London and how he can best achieve his aim to get more people walking. Caroline is out and about throughout August meeting many walking groups, visiting some good examples of pedestrian schemes across the capital.
Caroline welcomes cancellation of August Northern Line closures
28 July 2010 - 10:03pm — Administrator
Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat Assembly Group and transport spokesperson, commenting on Transport for London’s sudden decision to cancel most weekend closures on the Northern Line during the month of August after their review of required weekend closures, said:
Save the South London Line
28 July 2010 - 10:01pm — Administrator
Lib Dems Caroline Pidgeon AM and Simon Hughes MP joined politicians of all parties at a Save the South London Line campaign event at Clapham High Street station on 28th July.
The event was to highlight the future plans to axe this vital service between Victoria and London Bridge stations, via stations such as Clapham High Street, Peckham Rye and South Bermondsey.
"When we were promised the extension of the East London Line to Clapham Junction, it was never in place of our existing South London Line service. We need both services to meet the demand for transport in South East London and for the hospital workers and visitors who go between Guy's Hospital at London Bridge and King's or the Maudsley down in Denmark Hill. I do not want to see any of the stations on this route left with a worse service" commented Caroline Pidgeon.
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