Green spaces are important

This month sees the transfer of all canals and rivers in England and Wales to a new charity, the Canal and River Trust, which I am pleased to see has received an ongoing funding pledge from the government. We welcome the opportunity for volunteers to get more involved with preserving Hackney and Islington's historic canal network, which is an important part of our heritage as well as being a place for recreation and also home to those who live on houseboats.

At the same time another important local green space is under threat, as funding has run out at the Eastern Curve Garden, an oasis of calm at busy Dalston junction.

With Mustafa Korel, Hackney Green's candidate for Hackney

Central at the Eastern Curve garden.

It is vital that these natural green spaces preserved. A commission for Architecture and the Built Environment report in 2010 found that those with the lowest 10% of incomes have five times less access to quality green space than the wealthiest. In areas where the population is 40% or more from ethnic minorities, the figure is eleven times less.

In Hackney, a high density borough with many residents not having access to gardens, places like the canal towpath and Curve garden represent much appreciated escapes from our noisy traffic dominated streets and a place for residents to mingle. Islington is the Borough with the least green space per person in the country.

Keeping places such as the canal and gardens open and accessible for all as a free natural environment isn’t just a ‘green’ issue - it can contribute to better physical health, mental wellbeing and community cohesion.

The canal also has a fascinating history that deserves to be preserved. In that light it is disappointing that Starbucks has applied to change the use of the Lock Keepers Cottage to downgrade its function as a Canal Information Centre.

Two hundred years of history must not be lost as part of the creeping corporatisation and spreading ‘clone’ appearance of our environment.

While we're on the subject I've been asked to point you towards this survey which will help improve the canal environment for everyone: www.waterscape.com/towpathsurvey
It only takes a few minutes.