15th November 2006

On Saturday 25th November Green party members will be joining the protest at Gloucester Docks at 2.00pm.

Letter from Martin Whiteside to press:

Good progress has been made in improving our historic waterway network. Now with £60m cuts to British Waterways over the next five years much could be lost. Stroud's canal regeneration is not threatened, but it is quite likely that the upkeep and maintenance of the canal will be seriously effected - also locally jobs will be lost from Gloucester, infrastructure at Sharpness could be badly effected and it means no much-needed lock gates on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Authorities such as British Waterways and the Environment Agency should not be punished because of mismanagement by Defra, nor should the people who enjoy our waterways - and it is not just those on boats but also the walkers and cyclists. A living waterways system, contributes to the local leisure economy and we hope in future it will be part of a re-growth of waterborne freight as an ecologically-friendlier mode of transport.

Nearly 200 MPs have now signed and supported the Early Day Motions tabled by David Drew MP asking for the reinstatement of the reductions in funding. Greens support the campaign and will be joining the protest at Gloucester docks on Saturday 25th November. There will be some 50 boats and speeches will be from 2.00pm.  I hope people will come along and support this campaign and write to their MPs (i). These cuts should not happen.

Cllr Martin Whiteside,
Parliamentary spokesperson for Stroud District Green party,

Note:

(i) See more about the national protest at:
http://www.mike-stevens.co.uk/defracuts/what-to-do/events-planned.htm

NB: Photo Canal near Capel Mill, Stroud