Tube delays caused by overcrowding have soared in the last five years, new figures obtained by Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member have revealed.

Tower Hamlets councillor Andrew Cregan has left the Labour Party to join the Liberal Democrats, citing Jeremy Corbyn's support for Conservative plans for Brexit.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the announcement today that an interest-free loan scheme to help cover the up-front cost of childcare provision will be provided to parents in the GLA Group said:

“I am delighted that the Mayor has taken up and introduced this policy that I have long championed. 

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the unanimous Supreme Court ruling stating that bus companies will have to do more to accommodate wheelchair users, commented:

“I very much welcome this ruling.   A policy of simply requesting but not requiring wheelchair space to be allocated to wheelchair users is not acceptable. 

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the publication after much delay of the Garden Bridge Trust accounts said:

“Even advocates of the Garden Bridge with rose-tinted glasses will find these accounts incredibly concerning. The Trust has finally admitted what most people have long expected was the case -  that the final cost of the project is likely to increase substantially above the current £185 million predicted cost.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the start of the disruption facing the London Underground said:

“Some changes are needed in how our tube stations are run to ensure they are properly accessible and safe for everyone.  In some stations that involves more staff being available to help passengers.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the new fares facing London commuters from today said:

“Sadiq Khan’s manifesto specifically said that Londoners won’t pay a penny more for their travel in 2020 than they do today. There were no ifs, or buts, in that statement.

“Yet the reality is that at the start of 2017 many Londoners are already seeing increases in their daily and weekly caps as well as their travelcards.

“Instead of peddling the claim that he has frozen all fares the Mayor must now consider bold measures to help commuters and tackle the chronic problem of overcrowding.”

“Half price travel for Oyster and contactless journeys that start on the Underground, Overground and TfL Rail before 7.30 am would help some of London’s lowest paid workers.  It would also make a real difference in tackling overcrowding by encouraging some people to start their journeys earlier in the morning.”

Caroline Pidgeon has welcomed news that a blue badge scheme for people less able to stand on public transport will be introduced on a permanent basis in the Spring.

Caroline said "As someone who has long supported this scheme being introduced as a trial I very much welcome it now being permanently rolled out across London."

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on today’s announcement by the Mayor of London that water cannon purchased by the previous Mayor is now up for sale said:

"I welcome the decision to sell water cannon.

"Boris Johnson purchased water cannon without any authorisation for their use, but also against the clear advice of London Assembly Members.

"Londoners have paid a serious price for Boris Johnson's folly on this issue."

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on today’s announcement by the Mayor of London confirming £200 million investment in step-free access on the London Underground over the next five years and with work on Harrow on the Hill and Newbury Park stations being brought forward to 2017 said:

“Improvements to access on the underground is very welcome.  It is encouraging that whereas Boris Johnson cancelled step-free schemes at the beginning of his office the current Mayor is bringing them forward.

“However, we should be under no illusion that this announcement alone will deliver a fully accessible London Underground.

“In addition to too few stations being step-free there are massive issues due to a myriad of problems such as platforms not being level with trains, poor signage, staff being difficult to identify and lifts suddenly being out of operation due to a lack of trained staff.”

“The Mayor needs to ensure these issues start to be fully addressed within a year, not five years.”