Claire Perry and Parliamentary Anglers urge swift action to help the struggling River Kennet

On 14th January 2012, Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes Constituency, took the current and former Chairmen of the Parliamentary All Party Angling group to see the unprecedentedly low water levels on the River Kennet. The group met representatives from Action for the River Kennet (ARK) and local residents at Manton near Marlborough to inspect the dry river bed and discuss solutions.

Commenting, Claire Perry said:

"Rainfall has been low for the last 18 months but it is the abstraction of water from the Kennet by Thames Water that is the real concern. I welcome the Government's commitment to reforming abstraction tariffs in their recent White Paper and we know that Thames Water are working hard to educate people on the need for water conservation with their "Care for the Kennet" campaign. Ultimately, though, we need to get the relief pipeline built for Swindon as this is the only thing that will protect the Kennet long term. By working with my Parliamentary colleagues including those here today we can keep the pressure up on Thames Water, Ofwat and on Ministers to get this urgent project underway".

Charles Walker MP, current chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group said:

"As much as I enjoyed visiting Claire's constituency, I was horrified at the tragic state of the River Kennet. As a passionate fisherman and in my capacity as the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Angling, I will fully support Claire and the ARK's Campaign to restore flows to this beautiful river. The Angling group will be lobbying the Government." 

(Photograph courtesy of Marlborough News Online)

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