MEP Summary End Feb 2010

The two Lib Dem MEPs for the South East are Sharon Bowles and Catherine Bearder. This is our brief summary which, could impact all of us of what they have been up to recently. For full details of what they are up to please check out their web sites.

Campaign for fairer rail fares

They have launched a rail survey during January, Catherine explained, "Thousands of people across the South East rely on local rail services. Sadly commuters can expect a hefty increase in their fares this January. Sharon added, We want to know how the price rise is affecting people and how they feel about the quality of their rail service locally". For more details check out

http://www.sharonbowles.org.uk/pages/railsurvey.html

Catherine says NO to mega trucks

Catherine Bearder is continuing her fight against mega trucks. The European Commission is considering allowing the vehicles over 25 metres long and weighing up to 60 tonnes, to travel in Europe. But Catherine Bearder and members of the No Mega Trucks campaign believe that these longer, heavier vehicles are dangerous, expensive and will damage our environment. Catherine commented "I've already fought against 30 tonne trucks in the 1980s with the Women's Institute. Now I'm campaigning again to stop these monster trucks. Our roads, bridges, villages and communities just cannot take the size of these lorries. Clearly freight should move more and more onto rail and waterways instead. We must make the right choices for our region". To join the campaign against Mega Trucks please visit http://www.nomegatrucks.eu/.

"Protect our waterways", says Sharon

Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles has reacted angrily to suggestions that the Government is planning to sell off £500 million of state-owned waterside property in what has been described as a "firesale" of UK assets.

Gordon Brown's £16bn sell off, which is expected to include British Waterways' waterside property portfolio, signals a desperate attempt by the Government to reduce £800bn of national debt. The profit from these properties are vital to fund the upkeep of 2,200 miles of canals across the UK. Sharon Bowles said, "The Government's proposed "firesale" does n't make any sense. We must protect the future of this precious national asset and make sure Britain's canals and rivers can be maintained without the tax-payer having to foot the bill."

For more details please see http://www.sharonbowles.org.uk/news/000269/local_euro_mp_sharon_bowles_attacks_governments_proposal_to_sell_off_500_million_of_waterside_property.html