SC(3) - AIW17

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

Hello
I am a user of the inland waterways in the sense of waterborne recreation, in that I both Kayak and Canoe on inland waters within Wales. I am also a member of the British Canoe Union (BCU), Canoe England, as I am based in England but travel to Wales to enjoy the wonderful, and exciting waterways present.

As far as I am aware current access to inland waterways is by voluntary access agreements which are entered ionto by the owners of the land over which the river flows and/or points of access and egress. I use to WCA website and guidebooks to inform me and my friends which waterways have current access agreements.

I am in agreement with the Petitions Committee's short inquiry into Access Along Inland Water, which has clearly highlighted the issues present and their recommendation that the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides a useful basis from which a unique Welsh model of legislation could be developed.

Lawrence Parker