Caroline Pidgeon

Commenting on the news that Mayor Johnson will not be committing further funding for the Cross River Tram proposals, Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesperson at the London Assembly, says: “Given how much work and money has already gone into this and given his transport strategy is still under review, it’s staggering the Mayor would say this when he’s not fully reviewed the case.

“The Transport committee will next week be reviewing the case and how the tram can be funded and will put this to the Mayor as a matter of urgency.”

Over many months, Lib Dem Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon received serious complaints about the dial-a-ride services provided by Transport for London. On 3rd September Caroline met Paul Blackwell, General Manager of dial-a-ride, to discuss the many issues that had been raised by dial-a-ride users and to hear about what TfL are doing and have put in place to improve the service.

“It is quite clear that the centralisation of the service has caused huge problems, particularly in certain parts of London, and that their computer system has had real problems. I am trying to get to the bottom of how much the computer system has cost Londoners” commented Caroline.

“I have requested further statistics, going back as far as possible, so that I can really get a clear picture of the maximum length of time users are having to hold on the telephone before speaking to someone. We also need to know how often dial-a-ride are unable to provide a service.

Caroline went to the opening of a new café - Electric Elephant - on the Pullens Estate in West Walworth.

The café is named after the many cinemas around the old Elephant and Castle, one of which was called Elephant Electric. The café will also display works of art from the artists who live and work on the Pullens Estate.

Photos (courtesy of Nick Gurney from Peacock Yard) - Cllr Caroline Pidgeon with Cllr Eliza Mann, the Mayor of Southwark, and Louisa, the owner of Electric Elephant café. Many thanks to Nick for the use of the photo.

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat deputy chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee, has given a cautious welcome to news of planned improvements to a notorious Islington road junction.

“The junction of Penton Rise and Pentonville Road in Islington has been known as a local death-trap for cyclists and pedestrians for years and I’m pleased something seems to be in hand to deal with the problem.

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat deputy chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee, has made a fact finding visit to the now well-established Croydon Tramlink along with a delegation from the transport committee.

Caroline says: "We can learn a lot from the Croydon tram experience and this will ensure the Cross River Tram is even more successful."

Commenting on the plans for the new tram to link London across the river she says:

Cllr Jane Salmon joined Caroline at the annual Brandon Festival, organised by tenants’ and residents on the Brandon Estate, led by Jeff Barnett and Ethel Frampton.

The Draper Estate at the Elephant and Castle braved the August weather and held a super summer barbecue for the residents on the estate.

Caroline joined local residents as they ate, drank and danced in their newly refurbished Tenants and Residents' hall garden area.

"Draper Estate always hold fun events for all the family and it was a real pleasure to pop by for an hour and catch up with everyone" said Caroline.

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat deputy chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, says the hoops through which new owners of hybrid cars have to jump in order to avoid paying the congestion charge are “ridiculous.”

“It’s just more mindless red tape preventing Londoners trying to do their bit for the environment. Why the drivers of these cars have to take the trouble to inform TfL that their cars are bona fide hybrids is beyond me and is something I will be drawing to the Mayor’s and TfL’s attention at the soonest opportunity.”

Caroline joined Lib Dem by-election candidate Roy Chamdal and the local team out campaigning in the Hayes By-Election on 17th July.

Roy worked tirelessly in the campaign and improved the Lib Dem vote considerably, pushing the Conservatives who run the Borough into third place with less than 20% of the vote.

Photo – Caroline campaigning with Roy Chamdal and his brother in Hayes, Hillingdon.

Top Officials from Network Rail joined Susan Kramer MP, Vince Cable MP, Cllr David Trigg and Caroline Pidgeon AM for a rail summit in Richmond, looking at the rail issues local people face.