Setting out where the Mayor is wrong on policing

The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group has set out exactly where the Mayor’s policing plans are wrong in its detailed submission to a Mayoral consultation on London’s Police and Crime Plan.

The response from Caroline Pidgeon highlights the real danger from cuts to dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the Mayor’s proposals to cut 65 police front counters across London.

Caroline’s response also draws attention to the Mayor’s failure to look at alternative savings that could be found in the Met’s budget, including the continued provision of chauffeur driven cars for all senior Met police officers.

Caroline’s response can be seen at glalibdems.org.uk.

New cycling plans for London

This week saw the Mayor publish a new vision for cycling, which includes proposals for a 15 mile “Crossrail for cyclists”, making it easier and far safer for people to cycle between west and east London.

The Mayor’s proposals also include plans for 20 mph zones at Waterloo, Camberwell and New Cross Gate, to create new cycle routes on quieter roads and to carry out a study into banning large lorries from the centre of London at certain times of the day.

The proposals have been welcomed by many cycling groups and indeed many of the Mayor’s proposals build upon ideas first put forward by the London Assembly Transport Committee which is chaired by Caroline Pidgeon. However, despite the favourable coverage that the proposals initially received, Caroline has highlighted that the proposed investment in cycling is in reality very modest for each of the next 10 years. This proposed investment in cycling still falls short of ensuring that TfL’s total investment reflects the proportion of journeys made by cyclists. Until TfL’s funding in cycling is significantly increased it will take many years before significant changes are made to ensure that cycling is safer in every part of London.

Could a better fare deal for part-time workers be on the way?

Transport for London could introduce a part-time Travelcard as part of new ticketing offers – a policy proposal long advocated by London Assembly Liberal Democrats and contained in the 2012 London manifesto.

In January Caroline asked the Mayor to consider introducing a new Travelcard, giving part-time workers access to the same low and flexible fares as existing Travelcard holders.

In a letter sent to Caroline this week the Mayor confirmed he has “asked TfL to consider the scope for addressing the issue of part-time workers” as part of the body’s Future Ticketing Project.

Commenting on the Mayor’s letter Caroline said: “I have long advocated a part-time travelcard so I very much welcome the Mayor agreeing for TfL to examine this fare change.

“A huge number of Londoners work part-time, but the current weekly and monthly travelcards are rigidly based around the needs of people who work a conventional five day week. A part-time travelcard would make travel more affordable for people who work part-time as well as the many people who work from home on a regular basis.

“Most importantly, by encouraging more flexible working and travel patterns it could play a useful role in reducing overcrowding on our transport network.”

A full report can be seen at the Mayorwatch website.