So it’s over what now???
A Big Thank You
Thank you to all of you who have contacted your MPs and let us know what their thoughts/expectations and stances are on access. You have had some very interesting replies... We are sorry if we have not been able to get back to you all but please do be assured we are not only very grateful that you have taken your time to do this.
However, now we have a whole new situation we need you to do so again.... there are many new MPs who will not be aware that as one of their constituents the lack of access to and along water affects you!
Well a hung parliament with a relatively unlikely alliance so what can you do?..
Contact your MP ... all of us whether we live in an urban or rural environment should have a right to enjoy the countryside be it land or water .. rights and responsibilities...
Access to inland waters is really a cross party issue and despite the fact that it is a hung parliament and no one can tell how long it will be a stable one ... may we just point out that on page 82 of the Lib Dems manifesto under the title of a Green and Pleasant land
It states that Liberal Democrats will
An example of a letter is here 201005141326MPs May 2010.docx but do add matters that affect you in your area...and let us know how you get one... Thank you
Have you seen this?
Page 82 of the Lib Dems manifesto under the title of a Green and Pleasant land
It states that Liberal Democrats will
Supporters Comments..
"I live near several rivers and I can walk along much of the riverbanks for miles, but I can't go in. The rivers are flat, safe and quiet and I think it would be great to take my family canoeing. Why can I not do this?"
"Scotland always has common sense with their approach to laws regarding access to the countryside and water. England must wake up and realise that we have some outdated strange laws that are not relevant today."
General Election 2010 – What questions are you going to ask?
The long expected General Election will happen sometime in the next 6 months and we all have the opportunity to make a difference and get our issues noticed and acted upon in the future. Most current MPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) will be out and about door stepping to find out what the issues are and to try and canvas your vote. This election for the first time in many years sees well over 200 current MPs not seeking re-election including one of our own supporting MPs so the opportunity to inform and influence is here right now!
You can also go to the hustings etc and seek out the candidates out to put your point across. These open public forums are really interesting as you can hear the views of lots of different people and then see what their concerns are locally, nationally and in some cases internationally too.
What questions are you going to ask the candidates in your area and then your newly elected or returned MP? We need to keep them aware of the access situation and that you have a concern about it as one of their constituents.
Remember
- We can all legitimately use footpaths and bridleways etc that are public rights of way. In Scotland and the rest of the world there is also a public access to rivers, but not in England and Wales where only 1,500 miles of some 40,000 miles of rivers are open to the public for navigation. Will your party take action to create public access to rivers in England and Wales? (hand them a leaflet available from us …. )
2. Over 2 million people go canoeing each year. Indications are that this number is increasing at a spectacular rate.
· New research recently released from Sport England and Ipsos Mori’s Active People Survey (3) shows that between October 2008 and October 2009, 62,900 adults participated in 30 minutes of moderate intensity canoeing at least once a week. This is a fantastic increase of 45% since last year’s Active People survey.
- Canoeing also contributes to the wider agenda with many programmes that reflect our social responsibilities such as working with young offenders and the socially disadvantaged.
- Canoeing can support Government’s initiatives on Health and the Nation where exercise is fundamental to prevent obesity and future illness. The British Canoe Union is one of the few sport governing bodies that can achieve the targets set.
- Canoeing also contributes to the rural, local and national economy.
- Rivers are a superb natural classroom. Given greater access, schools can support the National Curriculum without classroom learning and the possibilities for cross-curricular activities are almost endless.
- The canoe is a traditional craft used throughout the world for exploring wilderness areas and quietly observing wildlife and flora. It causes no erosion, noise or pollution, and leaves no trace of its passing. Canoeing at appropriate water levels is an environmentally benign activity and causes no damage to fish stocks..... Kayak fishing is a rapidly growing part of the sport too.
3. How can we develop and support the economic, health and education agendas if greater access to water is not enabled?
If you do not get door stepped and public meetings are not your thing then why not write to the candidates. This can in many cases be done via e mail but letters are more than acceptable too. The Campaign office regularly receives replies from MPs sent to us via Canoe England members who have taken the trouble to write to their MP and some of the replies are very interesting. Ask probing questions and it’s amazing what you can find out about personal views let alone the views of that particular political party.
During the last election campaign we were made aware that many of the campaign supporters were asking the candidates about their views on the river access situation when them met with them. This was happening on doorsteps all over the country. These questions need to be followed up with a letter and/or a visit to your MPs surgery to explain the situation further and to obtain greater understanding and support for a change in the rivers access situation.
