SC(3) - AIW19

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways

Walking the riverbanks
Kayaking and Canoeing
Swimming

Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?

Canoe Wales

Which stretch/es of water do you own/use/manage?

I am potentially a user of all  waterways in Wales - rivers, canals, estuaries etc.

Legal rights

I feel that the legal rights to access are very confused and ill-defined. Interpretations of the law depend on the type of user.
No, I cannot simply outline my understanding of my legal rights to enjoy the waterways. I would like to see the law changed to explicitly support the healthy, sustainable use of waterways by all user types.  Money should not be able to buy an exclusve right to access.  I would happily observe restrictions to access which are clearly designed to protect the waterway environment.
My experience of waterways in Scotland and abroad indicates that a right to access works to the advantage of all water users.

Voluntary agreements

My experience of voluntary agreements in Wales is that the landowners and fishermen do not want to voluntarily agree to use by recreational users.  They act to protect their own interests at the expense of others',  their belief is that money buys them the right to exclude others, irrespective of the quiet, sustainable enjoyment they derive.

Please can you briefly outline what you think are the key issues

For recreational access to inland water in Wales and how you would like to see them addressed.

Key issues are:
Environmental protection
Availability of healthy exercise opportunities
Inclusion of all users
Payment for access
Compromise arrangements between users backed by legislation.

Tim Jepson
Lecturer in Outdoor Education
Director of MA/Ed Programme
Mountain Guide