Michael Fabricant MP appointed as Chair for parliamentary group for the waterways

The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways, which held its inaugural meeting for the new Parliament on Tuesday 25th February, has appointed Michael Fabricant MP as its new Chair.

At the meeting held in Westminster, the group agreed key topics that would be addressed over the coming months, including the importance of protecting waterways heritage, how waterway restoration can act as a catalyst for much wider regeneration, and encouraging access to the waterways for sport and leisure use.

Michael Fabricant is known for his support of the waterways in his Lichfield constituency, particularly the work of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust of which he is a patron, and is a previous recipient of Inland Waterways Association’s (IWA) Parliamentarian of the Year Award.

Among the vice chairmen and officers of the Group, are a number of newly elected MPs as well as some long standing waterway supporters, including Lord German OBE, Simon Baynes MP (South Clwyd), John Cryer MP (Leyton), Bill Esterson MP (Sefton Central), Mark Garnier MP (Wyre Forest), Jason McCartney MP (Colne Valley) and Craig Williams MP (Montgomeryshire).

Paul Rodgers, IWA National Chairman, says: “IWA wholeheartedly welcomes Michael’s appointment as Chair of the APPGW. He fully understands the importance of the UK’s inland waterways and the ongoing need for adequate funding of the publicly owned waterways, and we look forward to working with him over the coming months and years.”