London Assembly Liberal Democrats News Stories (Hounslow Liberal Democrats)

May 22, 2013:
- Mayor admits that New Bus for London will not meet pollution targets for London's new ultra low emission zone - Stephen Knight
  The Mayor of London today admitted that the New Bus for London is "unlikely to be compliant" with the Ultra Low Emission Zone that he is proposing for central London from 2020. The admission came following questioning of the Mayor by Stephen Knight AM, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly environment spokesperson. Following the Mayor's response Stephen Knight said: "After spending over £11 million of public money on the first eight prototype buses the Mayor promised Londoners that each new bus for London would not cost a penny more than any existing hybrid bus. In reality each of the Mayor's diesel hybrid buses are costing £50,000 more to purchase than alternative diesel hybrid double decker buses. "Having spent so much public money it is alarming that the Mayor now admits that they will not meet the environment controls that are long overdue and which he proposes should start from 2020." "Bus technology is rapidly developing but the Mayor has made a foolish decision to lock into today's diesel technology for the next 15 years. "As there is no alternative market for the Mayor's diesel hybrid buses they will have to remain on the roads until the end of their working lives. The Mayor has locked into today's diesel technology by his obsession with the supposed return of a routemaster bus. "Having admitted that the new London bus will not meet the pollution standards of the ultra-low emission zone the Mayor must now explain what will be the point of a zone which will exempt buses and HGVs - the most polluting vehicles of all." ENDS Notes to editors: 1. On the 13th February 2013 the Mayor of London has announced his intention to create the world's first Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London, starting in 2020. Details of this announcement can be seen here: http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/02/mayor-of-london-announces-game-changer-for-air-quality-in-the 2. In the Mayor's 2012 transport manifesto he stated: "I will expand the New Bus across London with 600 new buses operating on the streets by the end of my second term as Mayor. I will do this in a cost effective way, by replacing existing buses as they are decommissioned with the New Bus. I will also ensure that each New Bus does not cost more to put on the streets than an existing hybrid bus." The actual cost of each New Bus for London is £354,500. Existing hybrid diesel buses typically cost about £300,000. 3. Stephen Knight's question to the Mayor can be seen at a webcast of today's Mayor's Question Time, starting at 12.19 pm. http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor-assembly/london-assembly/webcasts Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 20, 2013:
- Even now the public are being denied vital information about how policing will change in their area - Caroline Pidgeon
  Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on MOPAC's (Mayor of London's Office for Policing and Crime) Estate Strategy for 2013-2016 which was published today said: "Months after the Mayor's Office started a consultation on changes to policing in London the public are still being left in the dark over which police buildings will remain and which will be sold off. The only certainty for each borough is that they will have just a single 24 hours police station, with the exception of Westminster, which is a savage reduction on the public access that currently exists." "In addition to a complete lack of detail about what is happening in every borough to existing buildings there is the mockery of just three lines of information being provided about how new buildings and facilities will be funded. It would appear that the Mayor is likely to break his promise that any new facilities will open before old ones are closed" "MOPAC has undertaken an inadequate consultation with Londoners based on a pitiful amount of information about their plans. The outcome is an Estate Strategy which raises more questions than answers." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 15, 2013:
- London Finance Commission report is a welcome step in giving Londoners greater control over their city - Stephen Knight
  Stephen Knight, Liberal Democrat London Assembly budget spokesperson, commenting on the London Finance Commission report published today: "I welcome this report as it sets out a number of practical proposals for moving away from the current centralised system where the Exchequer redistribute nearly all of the taxation paid in London. "Most capital cities around the world have far greater financial autonomy than London. It is long overdue that Londoners were given greater control over their city." "However, instead of just waiting for a new settlement between the Exchequer and London I hope the Mayor starts to make proper use of existing powers he already has. For a start he should make greater use of his existing prudential borrowing powers to fund a significant increase in affordable house building across the capital." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 9, 2013:
- Greenest diesel hybrid bus is not the greenest bus - Stephen Knight
  Stephen Knight AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly environment spokesperson commenting ahead of the Mayor's visit to Northern Ireland on Friday 10th May to publicise his decision to purchase 600 new buses for London from the company Wrightbus, at a cost of £354,500 per bus said: "The repeated claim that the New Bus for London is the cleanest diesel hybrid double-decker bus might be strictly true, but it totally overlooks the fact that it is still a diesel powered vehicle. Diesel hybrid vehicles are simply not the cleanest form of technology for buses that is available. "If the Mayor was really serious about promoting the cleanest technology available he would have instead poured the millions of pounds of public money spent on this project into developing a bus for London with zero exhaust emissions. Instead we have a diesel powered bus which doesn't even yet meet the long standing 'Euro VI' pollution limits that come into force on 31st December 2013. "The first eight new London buses cost over £11 million and the purchase of 600 further buses is costing around £30 million more than alternative diesel hybrid buses. The need for platform supervisors on the new London buses also make them incredibly expensive to run every day that they are on London's roads." ENDS Notes to editors: Transport for London stated in their press release dated the 3rd May 2013 that the new bus will cost £354,500 per bus. Other diesel hybrid doubled decker buses typically cost £290,000 to £310,000 per bus. In the Mayor's 2012 transport manifesto it was stated: "I will also ensure that each New Bus does not cost more to put on the streets than an existing hybrid bus." Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
May 1, 2013:
- London's air pollution ruled illegal - Boris must act now to avoid fines: Stephen Knight
  Stephen Knight AM, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly environment spokesperson, commenting on the Supreme Court decision today to declare that there has been a breach of article 13 of the Air Quality Directive and to refer the case against the Government to the Court of Justice of the European Union, said: "This is a landmark decision by the Supreme Court confirming that the UK Government is breaking long standing air pollution laws in relation to dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide in our air, particularly in London. "Not only are thousands of people dying prematurely due to air pollution but there is now the real prospect that the UK will face heavy fines that could be passed on to London." "The Government and the Mayor of London should stop trying to get around European laws on air pollution and instead start taking decisive action to tackle the causes of air pollution in our capital. "For a start, the Mayor of London must implement an Ultra Low Emission Zone urgently, not wait until 2020 as he currently plans." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 29, 2013:
- We dont want yet more closures for Jubilee passengers dragging on into 2015 - Caroline Pidgeon
  Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on reports today that Transport for London plan to shut the Jubilee Line for more than 30 days through central London due to acidic water eating into the tunnels walls said: "Instead of over 18 months of repeated weekend and holiday closures I question whether one intensive block closure perhaps in August would be both cheaper and less disruptive. "Given the pain from weekend closures often runs into the week, with delays on Monday mornings being a frequent problem for commuters, alternatives must be considered. "We don't want yet more closures for Jubilee Line passengers dragging on into 2015." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Apr 4, 2013:
- Bike hire scheme expansion is welcome, but its record must now improve - Caroline Pidgeon
  // Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the news that construction work has now started on the south west expansion of the bike hire scheme said: "It is great news that by Christmas the bike hire scheme will be operating in new areas in Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth and Kensington and Chelsea. "However in addition to the scheme needing to expand even further, especially in south London, it needs to desperately improve its performance as well. Above all else we need to tackle the problem that too many docking stations are either completely full, or even worse completely empty, sometimes for hours each day. "The hiring of the bikes must also be made far easier, especially for people that just wish to use the scheme on an occasional basis. A good start would be introducing contactless payment for casual users. "The expansion and improved performance of the bike hire scheme must go hand in hand." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 25, 2013:
- Mayor's police plan is a return to the bad old days of policing - Caroline Pidgeon
  Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor's Police and Crime Plan said: "These proposals are a return to the bad old days of policing. "The Mayor is planning to decimate dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams and return to 'sector' policing which failed so many communities across London. "At the same time the closure of 63 police front counters will dramatically reduce the ability of many Londoners to access the police, especially when reporting some of the most serious forms of crime." "To add insult to injury we are still being denied the full details of how the new contact points will operate, especially the hours they will actually be open "We are still no clearer about where these contact points will be. Some will only open for 3 hours a week which is not like for like replacement as the Mayor has previously promised. This has been a flawed consultation over a totally flawed plan." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 20, 2013:
- Mayor challenged to ensure schools know when air pollution reaches high levels - Stephen Knight
  The Mayor of London has been challenged by Stephen Knight, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly environment spokesperson, to ensure schools are sent dedicated information and health advice when air pollution reaches dangerous levels. The challenge was made at Mayor's Question Time, held at City Hall. Recently the Mayor's own Environment Advisor stated in an interview on LBC Radio that in areas of high smog "it may be sensible for the children not to be in the playground", yet at present there is no system in place to alert schools to when pollution is expected to reach high levels. Explaining why action was now necessary Stephen Knight said: "Across London there are more than 320,000 children attending schools within 150 metres of a road carrying more than 10,000 vehicles a day. "It is bad enough that these children are facing pollution every day of the year, but on days when pollution reaches even higher levels it is vital that the schools are alerted to the problem. An alert system for London's schools could ensure teachers can take simple measures to protect their pupils, especially those with asthma and other respiratory diseases. "The Mayor has a legal responsibility to promote the health of Londoners. He should stop dreaming about being PM and instead wake up to the harm facing children choking on PM10s. " ENDS Notes to editors: Across London there are 1,148 London schools within 150 metres of roads carrying about 10,000 vehicles a day. Details of the list of these schools can be seen here: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/london/pdf/london_schools_air_quality.pdf Analysis of this data by the think tank Policy Exchange shows that more than 320,000 children (including more than 180,000 children under the age of 11) attend schools in London within 150 metres of a road carrying more than 10,000 vehicles a day. A definition of PM10s can be seen here: http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/01-02/energy_services/pm10.html The Mayor's environment advisor was interviewed on LBC Radio on the 27th February 2013. Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Mar 18, 2013:
- Mayor's bike hire scheme needs to step up a gear - Caroline Pidgeon
  // Many bike hire docking stations lack even a single bike for many hours each day, new figures obtained by Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, have revealed. Following Caroline's questioning of the Mayor he has admitted that in January there were 44 docking stations across London that were empty each day for an average of at least 240 minutes or more (over 4 hours). Incredibly 26 of the docking stations were empty for at least 300 minutes or more each day (5 hours) and 10 were even empty for over 360 minutes each day (over 6 hours). At the same time problems exist with some docking stations being completely full, making it difficult for people to return a bike at the end of a bike trip. In January there were 28 docking stations that were full for an average of 120 minutes or more each day (2 hours or more). The January performance figures were significantly worse than the figures for the previous month. Fewer people use the bike hire scheme in the winter months, especially when it is wet, so the figures for December and January reveal the true record of the bike hire scheme when demand for the bikes is at its lowest level Commenting on the latest figures Caroline Pidgeon said: "If there are dozens of bike docking stations empty for such long periods of time during the quietest time of the year what hope is there for the busy summer months, when hopefully demand for the bike hire scheme will soar? "The bike hire scheme is fast approaching its third anniversary. It is no longer a novelty and there can be no room for excuses by TfL or the Mayor about its performance, especially considering its public subsidy. "The performance of the bike hire scheme needs to step up a gear. Empty bike docking stations deter people from even thinking of using the scheme. It is hard to hire a bike when none exist! "The redistribution of bikes across the docking stations needs to dramatically improve. Above all else Serco must improve their record in managing the bike hire scheme, and there needs to be new incentives for people to return bikes to underused docking stations, especially at certain times of the day." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 25, 2013:
- Sad day for London's emergency services - Stephen Knight
  Stephen Knight AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly budget spokesperson, commenting after the amendment to save London's emergency services by freezing the council tax precept was not successful in reaching a two thirds majority to amend the Mayor's budget said: "This is a sad day for London's emergency services. "The Mayor's attack on London emergency services is unnecessary and ideologically driven. Our priority is the safety of Londoners, sadly his only priority is a trivial one pence a day cut in council tax. "The closure of 12 fire stations in particular are totally unnecessary and the buck stops with him on this issue." "If the Mayor really thinks Londoners back his savage attack on our emergency services he should have the courage to consult them." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
- A wasted opportunity to transform cycling in London - Caroline Pidgeon
  Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the failure of the London Assembly to reach a two thirds majority to successfully amend the Mayor's budget and increase investment in cycling by £41 million due to lack of support from Conservative Assembly Members said: "Today is a wasted opportunity to transform cycling in London. It was within the grasp of the London Assembly to make a significant change and ensure that cycling started to receive the investment it so desperately needs. "We have a long way to go make London truly a cycling city. London actually falls far behind many other UK cities, let alone many cities across Europe in the number of journeys made by cycling. "We need to make cycling safer and attractive in every part of London, for people of all ages and backgrounds." ENDS Notes to editors: The cycling amendment to the Mayor's budget was seconded by Caroline Pidgeon. Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 14, 2013:
- Soon every Londoner will be owed £10 by embassies that dodge the Congestion Charge - Caroline Pidgeon
  The amount of unpaid Congestion Charge and penalty charge notices owed by embassies and diplomatic missions that evade paying the Congestion Charge now stands at £68 million according to new figures obtained from the Mayor by Caroline Pidgeon AM, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group. In answer to a recent written question the Mayor has admitted that in mid January the level of unpaid Congestion Charge stood at £67.5 million. By the 10th anniversary of the Congestion Charge (17th February) the level of unpaid Congestion Charge will be around £68 million. By the end of this year every Londoner will be owed £10 by embassies that continue to dodge paying the Congestion Charge. Commenting on the escalating bill owed by embassies and diplomatic missions Caroline Pidgeon said: "Too many embassies are insulting their host city by evading a charge which everyone else - including even the Queen - has to pay if they wish to drive in central London." "The Congestion Charge brings benefits from reduced congestion and it also funds transport projects. "Under Boris Johnson the level of unpaid Congestion Charge has soared and soon each and every Londoner will be owed £10 by these embassies and diplomatic missions that dodge paying the charge. "It is time the Mayor of London showed some real leadership on this issue, instead of his frequent excuses. "Back in December 2009 the London Assembly called on Boris Johnson to write to every head of state which had an embassy in London that evaded the Congestion Charge. The Mayor should have then published online the responses he received. Yet the Mayor rejected these proposals and instead has allowed the unpaid Congestion Charge bill to soar." Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 13, 2013:
- After years of dithering in tackling air pollution the Mayor fails Londoners once again -
  Stephen Knight, Liberal Democrat London Assembly environment spokesperson, commenting on the Mayor's announcement today that an Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London will not occur under his Mayoralty and will be left to his successor to implement said: "After years of dithering in tackling air pollution the Mayor has once again failed Londoners." "It is a great shame that the Mayor has taken so long to even recognise the merits of such an Ultra Low Emission Zone, despite the policy being repeatedly recommended to him. Even now he seems in no hurry to take any decisive action and is happy to leave the policy to be implemented by his successor. "The Mayor is also making a huge mistake by only including TfL's bus fleet in phase 5 of London's wider Low Emission Zone. "Instead of boasting about new diesel hybrid buses the Mayor should be championing a big switch to 100% electric buses and taxis, ending all exhaust pollution. "For the thousands of Londoners that are condemned to a premature death due to the capital's serious air pollution the Mayor's proposals are sadly too little, and far too late." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Feb 8, 2013:
- Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group proposes radical changes to Mayor's budget - putting homes, jobs and the safety of Londoners first
  The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group has presented a radical alternative to the Mayor's draft budget, prioritising home building, creating new jobs and safeguarding London's fire and police services. The changes to the Mayor's budget include plans to create a new £1.7 billion housing investment fund, to deliver a further 55,000 affordable homes and create 37,000 permanent jobs. At the same time the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Members have shown how extra resources can be found to avoid the Mayor's dangerous proposals to cut fire stations, police counters and the decimation of dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams. The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group proposals are fully costed and will be delivered by reversing the Mayor's 7 pence a week cut in the council tax precept, backed up by responsible prudential borrowing to fund the investment plans. The proposals also involve cutting out long standing waste and unnecessary expenditure, such as chauffeur driven cars for senior Met police officers. Explaining why the proposals are so necessary Stephen Knight AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly budget group spokesperson said: "Our budget amendment addresses head on the current lack of investment in London's economy and the chronic shortage of affordable homes. "London needs more homes and more jobs and that is exactly what our proposals will deliver. Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group further commented: "We totally reject the Mayor's proposals to make savage cuts to London's fire and police service. The Mayor's priority is to make a trivial cut in the council tax. Our priority is the safety of Londoners." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 30, 2013:
- The buck stops with the Mayor over fire station closures - Stephen Knight
  Stephen Knight, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) commenting on the Mayor's decision published this afternoon, confirming his intention to ignore the majority view of elected members of the London fire authority and push through proposals to quickly close 12 fire stations and remove 18 fire engines across London said: "This is a sad day for democracy and an even sadder day for the safety of Londoners. "However much the Mayor attempts to spin this issue the reality is that he alone is forcing through the closure of 12 London fire stations and increasing response times for far too many Londoners. "The Mayor has immense financial freedom and could easily decide to provide the modest extra funding needed to ensure that no fire stations would have to close. Instead, he is putting a seven pence a week cut in the council tax before the safety of Londoners." "Ultimately the buck stops with him over these reckless plans to close so many of London's fire stations." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 11, 2013:
- Fire station closures will be opposed by Liberal Democrats - Stephen Knight
  Stephen Knight, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and member of the London Fire Emergency and Planning Authority, commentingon fire brigade proposals to close 12 fire stations said:　 "These cuts being forced on London's fire brigade by Boris Johnson will make London less safe and are unnecessary.　 "Just over a week ago the Mayor tried to grab headlines with a 7 pence a week cut　 in the council tax.　　 Instead of offering a trivial cut in the council tax that no one will notice the Mayor should be using this money to protect the safety of Londoners. "These proposed cuts will be opposed by Liberal Democrats on the London Fire Emergency and Planning Authority." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Jan 2, 2013:
- Inflation busting fare rises are Boris Johnson's New Year's gift to Londoners - Caroline Pidgeon
  Commenting on the Mayor's 2013 fare rises which start today Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group said: "Inflation busting fare rises are Boris Johnson's New Year's gift to Londoners. "Under Boris Johnson the cheapest bus or tram fare - a single Oyster Pay As You Go fare - has soared from 90 pence to £1.40. While most people have seen hardly any improvements in their incomes the Mayor has imposed a staggering rise in the cost of just getting to work. "These latest fare rises will add to the financial problems facing many Londoners, especially those on low incomes who are already struggling with rising fuel bills. "Of course investment has to be maintained in our transport infrastructure, but if the Mayor was really committed to meeting his election pledge to 'bear down' on fares he could have easily avoided such steep fare rises. "If the Mayor simply stopped pouring public money into his vanity projects such as the Thames Cable Car he could ensure fare rises were capped at no more than inflation, as well as fund a one-hour bus ticket." ENDS Details of Boris Johnson pledge before the Mayoral election to 'bear down' on fares: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/mayor/boris-johnson-ill-bear-down-on-transport-fares-next-year-7670133.html Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 21, 2012:
- 2013 must see dramatic improvements in access to the Tube - Caroline Pidgeon
  Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group committee, commenting on the announcement that manual boarding ramps on the Tube which were introduced during the London 2012 Games at 16 Tube stations will now be kept and extended to more stations said: "This announcement is incredibly welcome and something I have long supported. It is only right that this much needed commitment to improving access to the Tube has been made in a week when it was confirmed that London would host the 2017 Paralympic Athletics World Championships. "2013 must see dramatic improvements in access to the Tube. It is vital that manual boarding ramps are quickly extended to a further 17 stations which supposedly have 'step free access', but where in practice a gap exists between the platform and trains." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Dec 4, 2012:
- TfL 10-Year Plan falls short for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled people
  Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on TfL's new draft Business Plan which has been published today said: "The extra investment in cycling is welcome, however it is far from sufficient to deliver a real cycling revolution across the whole of London. Further investment is needed if London is really to catch up with a number of other European cities. "The Mayor and TfL are also failing to give real priority to pedestrian safety issues. Last year saw 77 pedestrians killed on London's roads. Sadly this report shows no real appetite to tackle these horrific figures. Regrettably there is also no ambition to consider major pedestrianisation projects over the next decade such as Oxford Street. "Finally the Business Plan boasts about the new Crossrail stations in an attempt to divert attention from the poor access standards on the tube. A few years ago TfL was committed to ensuring one in three tube stations were step free by 2013. Shamefully this target will not even be met in 10 years time." ENDS Published and promoted by London Assembly Liberal Democrats, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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