New chairman for all party waterways group
The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways has elected John Grogan MP as its new chairman, at its inaugural meeting held recently following the start of the new Parliament.
Mr Grogan, whose Yorkshire constituency of Keighley has the Leeds & Liverpool Canal running through it, is an experienced chair of All Party Parliamentary groups, and pledged his support for IWA’s Waterway Manifesto during the run up to the general election campaign.
Key issues facing the Group over the coming months include waterway funding, provision of affordable moorings and waterway restoration.
John Grogan MP said ““The United Kingdom boasts over 6500 miles of inland waterways. They are important for tourism, the transport of goods and also as a home for many people. I hope to be a vigorous voice in championing the cause.”
Among the Vice Chairman and Officers of the group remains previous Chairman and former Waterway Minister, Richard Benyon MP, along with Lord German, John Cryer MP, Wendy Morton MP, Michael Fabricant MP, Jonathan Lord MP, Conor McGinn MP and Ranil Jayawardena MP.
MPs are aware of the importance their constituents attach to the inland waterways as places to unwind and enjoy recreational activities like boating, angling and other healthy exercising as well as the interest in the historic environment often found there. The APPGW is well placed to ensure interest in these resources is reflected in the attention they get, and that they are not overlooked.
