HUHNE CALLS FOR INCREASED ACCESS TO RIVERS (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

HUHNE CALLS FOR INCREASED ACCESS TO RIVERS

July 6, 2009 10:20 AM

Chris Huhne MP Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has called for increased access to the country's rivers for canoeists and other users.

Mr Huhne has backed a Commons motion which calls on the Government to set a realistic target for increased access to waterways in England and Wales by the Olympic year of 2012.

Mr Huhne said: "There are more than 50,000 paddlers in South Hampshire but they have access to just 4 per cent of the inland waterways that are wide enough to cope with leisure boaters."

He added: "I'm in favour of opening up access to rivers as much as possible. Our home in Eastleigh backs onto the Barton river and the Itchen water meadows, so I know what a great natural resource they are.

"This issue of access to water is based on exactly the same principle as ramblers' access to land. These are gifts of nature that should be enjoyed by all".