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River Access Campaign

Halifax MP Linda Riordan visited Halifax Canoe Club as they hosted their recent division 2/3 slalom event at the Club’s base in Sowerby Bridge on Sunday 25th March 2007.

Linda Riordan MP with HXCC membersMrs Riordan MP was invited to the club to hear more about the Rivers Access Campaign, which is pressing for improved access for the public to inland waterways. Mrs Riordan and David Draycott, Labour Party branch secretary (pictured right with Roger, Sarah and Roberta) met members of the Club, those taking part in the Slalom and discussed the access campaign.

With around 90 paddlers racing at the event within the tight constraints of the Club’s site in a residential mill complex, it really highlighted the need for better access to more rivers.

Now Halifax MP Linda Riordan has pledged her support to a campaign to open up Britain's waterways. Mrs Riordan said: "It is shocking there is no access to 98 per cent of our rivers. There are so many talented youngsters at Halifax Canoe Club. I want to help them have more access to our waterways."

Roger Blanchard, Access and Environment officer for Halifax Canoe Club said: “We were delighted that Mrs Riordan took time out to visit us and hear more about the access issue. She now intends to mention the national Rivers Access Campaign in Parliament and to support the Access to inland Waterways Private Members Bill at its 2nd reading on 18th May.

We have one MP on side, but we need to contact as many MP's as possible - if you live outside the Halifax Constituancy write to your MP! (we know some club members already have). If Mrs Riordan is your MP write to her anyway - thank her for visiting and offering her support, the more people she knows of that will benefit the better! Not sure what to write or who to write to - see get more information on 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.

(March 2007)