The Green Party wants to establish canals as a blue route, with priorities given to activities that are quiet and slow.
Darren Johnson said, "London’s canals provide an oasis of clam within the heart of many of London’s busy urban areas. As London’s Mayor, I would ensure that this vital resource is protected and enhanced."
"As Mayor, I will be working to get more freight off our roads and on to canals and rivers. The potential for our canals to provide green and clean transport has been shamefully neglected."
Jenny Jones, Deputy Mayor of London, takes an interest in canals as she spends many a weekend on the Arthur Dent. Jenny wants the London plan to encourage residential use of London’s waterways with more moorings.
Jenny said, "Boats are generally more affordable and have low environmental impact as well as being visually pleasing. They also improve security and safety around waterways by having more eyes and ears in the vicinity."
Green Members of London’s Assembly would:
- Firmly establish that the canals environment should be open to all and ensure new developments incorporate public access
- Clampdown on fly tipping, graffiti, dog mess by introducing a Capital Standards Programme
- Enhance the carriage of freight by water
- Ensure that dredging and maintenance are sufficient to allow passage of water 8′ 6" containers. This would allow delivery of goods direct from Tilbury Docks.
- Encourage the collection and delivery of goods to individual waterside locations
- Aim to protect and promote wildlife along our waterways
- Protect and extend residential mooring allowing people the choice to reside on a boat
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Photo opportunity:
Tuesday May 25th 10.30 am on board the Arthur Dent at Camden Lock (between top Lock and the Oval Road Bridge)
· Darren Johnson is 38 and was selected as the Green Party’s candidate for Mayor of London in May 2003. He was elected to the London Assembly in May 2000 where he is Leader of the Green Party Group. He was also elected to Lewisham Council in May 2002.
· The Mayoral election will be held on June 10th at the same time as the elections for the London Assembly and the European Parliament. At the last Assembly elections the Greens scored one of their best ever results in the Party’s history, securing 11.1% of the vote across London and winning three seats on the 25-member Assembly.
· Darren Johnson’s vision for a sustainable Green London can be found on his website www.johnsonformayor.org.uk
· Jean Lambert is London’s Green Member of the European Parliament and she is No 1 on the list for the London Green Party. Her website is www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
· Green Party Assembly Members are Cllr. Darren Johnson AM, Deputy Mayor Jenny Jones AM and Noel Lynch AM
· Biographies for all candidates are available from London Press Officer, Penny Kemp 07711 760692 or penny.kemp@virgin.net
ENDS
· Published and promoted by Chris Cotton on behalf of London Green Party both at 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ
· Printed by Penny Kemp, Press Officer on behalf of London Green Party at 1a Waterlow Rd, London N19 5NJ
Further information, interviews: Penny Kemp 07711 760692