Access to Nature Green Paper

Lord Leigh of Hurley Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

Yes.

[Lord Leigh of Hurley (Con)]

My Lords, I very much welcome the Government’s attempt to encourage people to go out in green spaces and walk, particularly along rivers. Is she aware that the Thames path is now broken, in that the bridges at both Temple and Henley have been out for a number of years? To pick up the point made by the noble Baroness, Lady Bull, disabled people who want to walk along the Thames path have to go through very busy roads to do so. Apparently, the Environment Agency receives no money from central government to repair bridges, and is actually relying on private donations to do so. Will the Minister have another look at this? The Thames path is central for so many people who want to enjoy the River Thames, and I declare my interest as a regular runner along it.

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I have only recently been made aware of this and I am currently looking at it. The noble Lord raises an important point. One of the things that we need to be more aware of as a Government is how we maintain what we already have, as well as looking at new access.