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Open Give councils the power to take control of local waterways

Created by David Richard Purchase
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We call on the Government to give new powers that enable local authorities to seize control of local waterways from their current owners, whether they are public bodies, charitable trusts or other private organisations, when councils believe their ownership of local waterways has failed.

We believe that in many parts of the country, docks and waterways are dying and choking in silt, and that canal and river trusts have sometimes proven that they cannot care for our waterways due to financial pressures and poor management.

Allowing local councils to seize control of local waterways from their current owners who may have shown a failed duty of care for waterways, many of which are historic and paramount to local economies, could mean decision-making for local waterways are passed into the hands of the public, rather than failing trusts and other private companies.

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    This petition will stay open until 9 May 2027.