Just back after our trip to London. Would have been back earlier but a late person under an earlier train at Harrow & Wealdstone and then a broken down train at Watford Junction delayed us somewhat.
Simon and I managed to catch up with Clive Fennell and Sue Thompson in the public gallery of the House of Commons at 5.45pm this evening. David Gauke, MP for SW Herts presented our petition just after 6pm and the script should be on Hansard by now. We then all had a drink on the terrace and we joined by Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning and the 6 of us discussed all sorts of waterways issues whilst watching the boats on the Thames. I did a live radio interview with BBC Three Counties whilst on the terrace just after 6.20pm. Not sure how it went but it was about 45 - 60 seconds airtime. We all had a tour of the House of Commons before making our way home. Our sincere thanks to our host David Gauke for supporting the cause. Our thanks also to all those locally and nationally who have support the cause and especially those locally such as Chiltern IWA, Wendover Arm Trust, Aylesbury Canal Society etc who helped collect signatures and took part in the protests at Bulbourne, Rickmansworth and Marsworth. I guess the next question is what next, where next and how next? How can we develop a relationship with the new Waterways Minister and influence policy? After all, we helped to get rid of Barry Gardiner amongst other things :-) The press release which went out yesterday was as follows: South West Herts says Save Our Waterways! Local MP to present petition in the House of Commons on 12th July 2007 Tomorrow afternoon Save Our Waterways campaigners in South West Hertfordshire and local MP David Gauke are presenting a petition of over 2000 signatures on the floor of the House of Commons. The petition, on behalf of the local people and other users of and visitors to the inland waterways, requests that the House of Commons calls on the Government to introduce legislation to solve the immediate problems caused by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' massive cuts to the British Waterways and Environment Agency grants, and to ensure that long term funding is guaranteed to enable continued investment and restoration of the waterways. Berkhamsted residents Simon Weightman & Debbi Figueiredo, along with Clive Fennell and Sue Thompson of Mill End, Rickmansworth and many other helpers collected most of the petition signatures at a variety of events including the Save Our Waterway protest at Marsworth, The Rickmansworth Festival, and the Tring Canal Festival. David Gauke MP has been a strong supporter the local Save Our Waterways campaign attending all three protest events held so far at Bulbourne, Rickmansworth and Marsworth between November and March. Simon Weightman said "we are delighted that so many people in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring, Watford, Rickmansworth and the surrounding rural areas have supported our campaign. Local people care about the canal and the opportunities it provides for walking, cycling, angling, boating and watching the wild life and general relaxation. Let's hope the Government take notice that we won't go away and will continue to demand adequate funding for the waterways". ENDS For more information contact: Debbi Figueiredo Alternative contact is Clive Fennell Photos will be available in digital format during the morning of Friday 13th July. EDITOR'S NOTES: · British Waterways is responsible for a 2,000 mile canal and river network in England, Wales and Scotland , and has been the catalyst for over £2 billion of waterside regeneration and the creation of 20,000 jobs over the last decade. British Waterways is a public corporation responsible to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). All its income is reinvested in improving the waterways in its care. British Waterways works in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations to develop and improve the waterways in a sustainable manner for the benefit of everyone. · Save Our Waterways is a voluntary waterway users organisation bringing together many diverse interests to fight the cuts made to funding for the inland waterways. More campaign information is available www.saveourwaterways.org.uk A national Save Our Waterways (SOW) petition was recently presented to the Waterways Minister and had over 38,000 signatures. The South West Herts SOW group has been supported by Friends of Tring Reservoirs, Chiltern branch Inland Waterways Association, Aylesbury Canal Society, The Wendover Arm Trust, Chiltern Society River and Wetlands group, local boaters, marina and commercial boat operations, local public houses and many more. · David Gauke is now a part of the Conservative frontbench team and is the youngest member of the Conservative frontbench. He has concentrated on economic issues as a member of the Treasury Select Committee and he hopes to be able to put this experience to good use including supporting cause of the inland waterways when it comes to the Comprehensive Spending review in September. (www.davidgauke.com). · The Environment Agency is responsible for flood control and water pollution control as well as being the navigation authority for the non-tidal Thames, and rivers such as the Nene and Great Ouse.
