Michael Fabricant was today (20th March) re-elected Chairman of the Waterways All Party Parliamentary Group.

“The Group considers all the aspects of our canals and navigable rivers and with the Lichfield canal being restored nearby, I am humbled to be re-elected Chairman of this important Group.  Following the AGM, MPs and Peers discussed ‘Our Canals and Rural Tourism’ with speakers from the Broads National Park in East Anglia and the Canal & River Trust.  After considering the work they do, I reported that the Canal & River Trust are now finally speaking to the right people in Government and supplying the information the civil servants need.  I stressed that we now all need to get behind the Trust to press for increased funding for the maintenance of our canals and towpaths.

“After the meeting, I took the opportunity of mentioning the state of the canal towpath between Fradley and Fradley Junction with the Canal & River Trust representative.  They are aware of the issue and believe that it is only temporary and will dry out in the coming months.

“I will continue to monitor the situation and I am aware that local councils also know of this problem.  I have often walked that length of towpath so understand the urgent need for it to be passable.”

Photo shows Michael Fabricant addressing the Northern Canals Association at an event hosted by the Lichfield and Hatherton Restoration Trust in Boley Park on Sunday, 17^th March.  See here.