Stunell quizzes government on cuts that threaten Marple Locks

6.40.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Nov 2006

This week in Westminster, Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has challenged the government on cash cuts that threaten Marple Locks.

Mr Stunell said:

"I am very worried that the cash cuts will damage Marple Locks and our treasured local canals.

"I have quizzed the Minister on his decision, and am challenging him to guarantee that the Cheshire Ring of Canals will remain passable.

"Thousands of people enjoy walking, cycling, jogging and boating along local canals and Marple Locks are key attractions on the Cheshire Ring. Stable funding is vital to keep the canals in a usable and pleasant state."

Local residents, Marple councillors and Mr Stunell have joined forces to urge the government to reinstate the cuts and to protect popular local stretches of canal.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The British Waterways cuts include 180 redundancies and a drastic slow down in maintenance and repairs to the canal network. The cuts have been triggered by serious errors by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) in bringing in the new farm payment scheme, the costs of which have been taken from British Waterways, the Environment Agency and other DEFRA responsibilities.

2. Andrew Stunell MP has asked DEFRA the following Parliamentary Questions on the issue:

i. What representations he has received on the impact of current year budget cuts to British waterways, and if he will make a statement.

ii. If he will publish the risk assessment done by his Department prior to his reductions in funding for the current year of a. British Waterways, and b. The Environment Agency.

iii. If he is satisfied that the Cheshire ring of canals will remain passable to boaters following his mid year reduction in funding to British Waterways.

3. Mr Stunell is backing the following Parliamentary Motion:

Inland Waterways

That this House notes that the nation's inland waterways have undergone a transformation in recent years as more people are using canals and rivers for recreation than ever before, whether as boaters, anglers, walkers, cyclists or nature lovers; further notes that more freight is being transported and that regenerated waterways are the backbone of many inner city improvements and that thousands of jobs are linked to the well-being of canals; therefore notes with alarm that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has reduced British Waterways' grant by 15 per cent. this year resulting in a devastating effect upon the inland waterways; further notes that 180 British Waterways' staff are to lose their jobs and canals are to be closed; and calls upon the Government immediately to reinstate the cuts imposed upon British Waterways and to ensure long-term funding is guaranteed to enable continued investment and restoration of the waterways.