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Written question asked by Andy Slaughter (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Inland Waterways: Access

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure the Access to Nature Green Paper includes provisions for increased public access to unregulated inland waterways.

Answer

This Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors and the benefits of blue spaces for people’s health and wellbeing.

As set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, Defra will explore the feasibility of increasing access onto unregulated inland waterways and will consult on this in the Access to Nature Green Paper to be published during this Parliamentary term. Defra is committed to working with stakeholders as this work develops.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
8036
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Access Countryside Inland waterways
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk