|
|
|
Halifax Canoe Club |
|
|
Competition NEW!
|
River Access - Campaign NewsCONTACT YOUR MP BY E-MAIL OR SNAIL MAIL - IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW, BUT DO IT NOW! The Private Members Bill “Public Access to
Inland Waters”2007 was first introduced into the House of Commons as a “10
Minute Rule Bill” by MP Dr Des Turner on 24th January. At this 1st
Reading, MP’s voted for it to be discussed further at a 2nd Reading
on Friday, 23rd Feb. However, due to overrunning business in the
House last Friday, discussions on the bill were postponed until The BCU’s River Access Campaign (RAC) has got this far is because members, and non-members, alike have been supporting the campaign by lobbying their MP’s. It is by getting the word out to your MPs of the completely unacceptable access situation in the 21st century that support for the campaign is significantly on the increase.” The Bill has been written so as to take in to consideration the needs of inland water users. Although 10 Minute Rule Bills are not often put on the statue books 90% of their content is. So the RAC have laid out in concept and principle what access to inland waters should be for us all. They have had a variety of lawyers developing the Bill and advising on it, including those who worked on the Scottish Land Reform Act. Now your support is needed - to request local MP’s attend parliament on Friday 23rd March and support the second reading so that the Bill can go forward to Committee stage for further debate and action. As one of their constituents they have a duty to consider YOUR requests, whereas, whilst the RAC organizers could write to them, this would probably hold no sway, because it would come from a national body and not a local constituent. Who are our West Yorkshire MP’s There are too many to list here! To find out who your MP is go to www.parliament.uk - there is an obvious link on the home page to take you to list of MP’s How to contact our MP? Most of the MPs can be e mailed directly via the www.parliament.uk website or via www.theyworkforyou.com Go to http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alms.cfm to find the MPs list in alphabetical order and then just e mail them. Alternatively, write to them direct c/o House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA What do we write?
Both on behalf of the Club, and as a Halifax Constituent, I have written to Linda Riordan (Halifax) & Chris McCafferty (Calder Valley) and at the same time invited them to our 24/25th March slalom weekend (immediately after the 2nd reading). Now please get those keyboard fingers or quill pens working for the good of our sport!!! Roger Blanchard Access and Environment Officer For more information regarding river access, check out details on the BCU website or visit the River Access Campaign website to see how you can help support the campaign to achieve better access for us on rivers. |
