SC(3) - AIW26

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are witting to you with our concerns, involving the attempt by WCA/CW to increase access to inland waterways across Wales, and would like it to be noted that we strongly oppose any attempt in changing the law to allow this.

I would like to mention that we have tried repeatedly, with WCA/CW`s Ashley Charlwood to enter into an Access agreement with our club, and at one time had a perfectly good one working on the waters we lease, only for it to be quashed by Ashley Charlwood, Quoting to me "it is no longer WCA policy to have access agreements" which is a bit ironic considering he is the Access Officer for the WCA.

The rivers in Wales are very delicate and on a completely different size scale to the ones in Scotland, and if you do not stop this petition for access, you will personally be the ones giving permission to all Canoeists, Kayakers, Gorge walkers etc to damage beyond repair our sensitive waterways! (you will be authorising Environmental damage)

And finally we are the ones looking after the rivers along side the E.A, through litter clearance, habitat improvements, voluntary policing of the rivers, the list of jobs a select few of us do is endless. You will have to when considering whether or not to back this attempt for a change, be willing to lose the above if you make the wrong decision.

You may think this is a strong threat, but I personally (and no doubt my colleagues) will stop all voluntary works I/we do on the rivers, if you allow this access to inland waterways to happen!

We have approximately 120 members in our club, and sell a large number of day tickets to visitors staying in or around the village of Betws-y-Coed, so the amount of people your decision will effect through just one Angling club in Wales is vast (you only have to look at the E.A Rod licences sold to get the fuller scale).

Hope this helpful and gives you something to work with.

Regards

Tony Godbert
Voluntary River Keeper
Betws-y-Coed Anglers Club.