Parliamentary Debate

Charlotte Atkins, MP for Staffordshire Moorlands, has secured a Westminster Hall adjournment debate, due to take place from 9.30 am to 11.00 am in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 27th March on "Inland Waterways in the West Midlands". This is the last week of parliamentary business before the Easter recess, and provides a good opportunity to once again raise the issue of funding cuts to British Waterways in particular, and to keep pressure on government for better funding for canals and river navigations.

IWA hopes that this might be the first of a series of regional debates on inland waterways issues regarding the impact of the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs' funding cuts on British Waterways, the Environment Agency and the regional economies, regeneration, tourism, etc. There is a need to encourage all MPs supportive of the inland waterways to attend the debate and participate in order to keep the issue to the fore in Parliament. Feedback from reliable sources in parliament this week indicates that the message is getting through and decision makers are showing concern.

Charlotte Atkins had agreed some time ago to be present at the Annual General Meeting of IWA's Western Region, due to take on Saturday 24th March, and this will provide a useful opportunity for members in the area to discuss possible topics and evidence to used in Charlotte's opening speech in the debate.

The previous adjournment debate on the inland waterways at Westminster Hall, won by Sir Peter Soulsby MP, and held on 6th December, was very well attended by MPs, many of whom spoke to illustrate issues on waterways in their own area. On this occasion it is likely to be more of a challenge to encourage MPs to attend, as there are no debates on the Monday where a whip will require their presence, so many MPs could otherwise still be in their constituencies after the weekend. Every encouragement should be given to MPs to attend the debate and to speak on waterways issues in their area, as this is another important opportunity to make a difference that should not be missed.

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