Caroline's news

Shepherd's Bush blogger Chris Underwood reports on the news - as revealed by the Mayor's answer to a question from Caroline Pidgeon in the London Assembly - that Hammersmith & Fulham Council is pressing ahead with plans to remove traffic lights despite concerns about pedestrian safety.

Caroline Pidgeon: Please list all boroughs in London which have agreed to the removal at traffic lights at all sites proposed by TfL.

Answer from the Mayor: TfL has not yet met all of the London boroughs to discuss the individual traffic signal sites proposed as potential candidates for removal but many have been receptive to the general principle. These discussions are therefore on-going.

To date, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has undertaken a public consultation on a site on Shepherd’s Bush Road and it has agreed that the site should be removed. Other boroughs, including Brent, Ealing and Westminster, have been receptive to the concept and are looking at alternative/additional locations where signals could potentially be removed.

Caroline Pidgeon has backed a recent House of Commosn motion tabled by Martin Horwood MP, the co-chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee on Transport, denouncing the recent tube strikes and highlighting the inconvenience suffered by commuters. Martin has criticised both the unions and the Mayor of London’s office for not doing enough to reach an agreement between all parties, and encouraged the Mayor of London to bring the current talks to a settlement.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor’s confirmation that the Western Extension Zone (WEZ) will be abolished from Christmas Eve said:

“This is long overdue and very welcome. The WEZ was a serious mistake from the very outset. The WEZ has diluted the initial aims of the original zone by enticing Londoners to drive into central London on a daily basis.

“It is utter madness that some of richest Londoners can drive into central London for just 80 pence a day when everyone else faces a daily Congestion Charge of £8.

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor’s fare package for 2011 said:

“The Mayor’s fare package is hitting hardest the Londoners who are on the lowest incomes.

“Last year the Mayor racked up Oyster pay as you go bus fares by an eye watering 20%. Now again he is hitting hard people in temporary or low income jobs who simply cannot afford a season ticket.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the announcement in today’s Comprehensive Spending Review that Crossrail will go ahead, said:

“This is good news for London and Londoners. 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.