SC(3) - AIW01
Sustainability Committee
Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales
1. I use inland waterways for water-based recreation, ie canoeing and kayaking
2. I am a member of a canoe club - Llandyssul Paddlers
3. I use the Teifi between east of Llandyssul and the sea, and the Towy between Carmarthen and the sea. I would like to paddle other rivers in Wales once I have sufficient experience
4. My understanding of my legal rights is that I can in all cases paddle on tidal waters. As I understand it, many land owners consider that I would be committing the civil offence of trespass if I paddle non-tidal rivers that cross their land. However, I do not consider that the law is unequivocal on this matter - it seems to be a grey area.
5. I would like to see paddlers given much better access to non-tidal rivers, enshrined by law. I don't think that this should come without certain responsibilities for the paddler.
6. Scotland seems to have a much better river access system - and it seems to work.
7. Stretches of the Teifi have a voluntary access agreement.
8. The agreement seems to be based on seasonal paddling, with a 'closed season' for paddling most of the river during the fishing season
9. I don't think river access should be down to voluntary agreement - they are too one-sided
10. Voluntary agreements exist in England, but I don't feel these are really any better than the Welsh ones (such as exist). The Dart Loop agreement is probably one of the better ones.
Key issues seem to be that anglers have over the years paid a lot for fishing rights. The value of these assets may be eroded - or at least it may be perceived that it will be eroded - if access were granted to all rivers all of the time. I'm not sure that the majority of anglers would ever agree to a change in the status quo - but that doesn't mean I don't think things should change. I'm not unsympathetic to anglers though, and feel that the paddling community will need to provide reassurance that rivers will be used responsibly.
Dominic Parkes
Swansea
