WATERWAYS IN THE MIDLANDS

Early day motion 477, tabled 12 December 2006 by Peter Soulsby (Labour). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes the renaissance that canals and rivers throughout the Midlands of England have undergone in recent years whether in city or village, town or country; deeply regrets the funding cuts imposed on British Waterways and the Environment Agency (EA) by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which have already resulted in 60 BW jobs losses in the Midlands with the merger of two BW units; notes that new restoration projects such as the Milton Keynes-Bedford link may be threatened losing the link to the East of England; further notes that canals such as the Leicester arm of the Grand Union need regular and constant maintenance; and believes DEFRA should reinstate this year's grant in aid to both BW and the EA and ensure continued funding in future years.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Conservative 4, DUP 4, Liberal Democrat 4.