Caroline's news

Caroline joined local Camden Lib Dem Cllr Chris Naylor on Friday 3rd September on a visit to look at the possible route for High Speed 2 from Euston north, under many homes in the Primrose Hill area.

Chris and Caroline met some local residents who are active in the Primrose Hill HS2 Group to discuss the plans and hear their many concerns about the lack of consultation, the depth of the proposed tunnels and the quality of the proposal to date, which appears to have little evidence base.

"I believe that High Speed Rail is a good development in terms of cutting reliance on internal flights and those over to the continent. However, we have to ensure that the impact of high speed rail on local communities is minimised. I am concerned about the potential impact this will have on Primrose Hill - both in terms of planning blight and actual physical damage - if it goes ahead as planned” commented Caroline Pidgeon AM.

Caroline joined local Lib Dem campaigner Andrew Dakers on 2nd September when they visited Hanworth Road in Hounslow to meet residents who have been living on a piece of derelict land since May. The land which is owned by Transport for London, used to be used for drug dealing and taking and has been reclaimed by members of the community. There are now up to 20 people living there where they have created an artists studio, a vegetable spiral and other planting has taken place. They also hold open community events.

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and deputy chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on the news that talks have broken down between London Underground and the unions with a series of strikes now expected to start on Monday, said:

“There are legitimate concerns about TfL's plans to slash the opening hours at so many ticket offices across the Tube network, but taking strike action is not the way forward. The unions are running the risk of losing all public sympathy on this issue.

Caroline 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.

Caroline was the guest speaker at a summer afternoon tea on Saturday 21st August at the Liberal Club in Orpington.

Caroline was welcomed by Cllr David McBride, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Bromley Council, and spent the afternoon chatting to local members and supporters.

“I was delighted to be invited to speak to members at the Orpington Liberal Club. We discussed the performance of the Mayor of London and where Lib Dem Assembly members have really made a difference, campaigning on issues such as a One Hour Bus Ticket, a clean air zone for London and fair police recruitment”