Reading West MP Martin Salter was last week elected chair of a new All Party Group on the River Thames. The Group, whose formal aim is to “to highlight and promote the economic, cultural, recreational and environmental value of the River Thames” had its inaugural meeting last Tuesday where Mr Salter was elected unanimously.

Mr Salter, who has lived in the Thames Valley all his life and who is a keen angler and boater on the river, worked with Thames Valley MPs last summer in opposing the disposal of the Thames lock-houses, which have now been shelved by the Environment Agency. The suggestion for a Parliamentary Thames Group came from the River Thames Society and grew out of that campaign.

Mr Salter said:-

“I am delighted to have been elected chair of the new All Party Parliamentary Group on the River Thames. This Group has been formed following the successful cross-party work a number of us have done on Thames issues over the past couple of years, and will make it easier for Thames Valley MPs to campaign together on subjects of shared interests in the years to come.”

The Group which elected Henley MP John Howell and Richmond MP Susan Kramer as Vice-Chairs was formally announced back in September that the inaugural AGM could not be held until the House of Commons returned from its summer recess.

Martin Salter added:-

“With the River Thames flowing through no less than four regions of England our new group will create an opportunity for Thames Valley MPs to come together and work collectively for the benefit of this fantastic and iconic feature which is such a central part of all our constituencies. The new group will give the Thames and those organisations who look after it and treasure it, access to the House of Commons.”

Peter Finch of the River Thames Society said:-

“I congratulate MPs and Peers for forming this new Group which will greatly contribute to the protection and promotion of our unique river.”

The Group plans to meet next in January at a presentation to be given by the Henley based River and Rowing Museum on their work and the work of the Thames Learning Partnership.

Future work will include looking at issues such as pollution, angling and fish stocks, river services, flooding, and the Thames barrier which will be discussed in more detail at further meetings between the Group and the Environment Agency, Thames Water and the Port of London Authority.