SC(3) - AIW29
Sustainability Committee
Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales
What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways
Professional Kayak Coach, I work and play on the river.
Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?
Welsh Canoe Association
Which stretch/es of water do you own/use/manage? Use.
Llugwy, Conwy, Dee, Glaslyn, Owgen, Elwy, Aled, Alwen, Usk, Wye, Melte, Tribs of the Usk
Legal rights
Are you happy that your legal rights are clear and well defined?
No, I don't really understand what I have access to and not.
Can you briefly outline your understanding of your legal rights over the stretch of water/s that you own/use/manage
I have a right to use the water but not the land around it.
Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?
Yes
If yes, what changes would you like to see?
Where sensible (live stock, shooting etc.) access through private land to use the water. A simple footpath and gates for access would be great with the land owners understanding that I'm doing so at my own risk.
Are you aware of any legislation that existis in other countries that could be used in Wales?
Right to Roam - Scotland,
Voluntary agreements
Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage
Yes
If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.
Certain times of the year on certain areas.
Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?
Yes
If yes, what changes would you like to see?
Do away with them, there needs to be a yes or no gauge to tell whether the river is high enough whatever time of the year, and clear footpaths with gates to riverside. Right to Roam, with fines for those that abuse, so people leaving gates open, litter etc.
Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?
In France, no one paddles after 6pm for the fisherman. It's a fair system and everyone respects it so it seems to work.
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.
I understand that:
Fisherman are upset because they have to pay to fish, where as we only pay towards British Waterways so think it's unfair.
Landowners can see some organisation (Rafting on the Dee) charging people to use the water and want to do the same.
Kayakers feel we are unfairly done by and don't really respect any system anymore.
Some people are just generally a pain in the arse and will cause trouble no matter what the situation is.
I would love to see access to all water free of charge in Wales to encourage people outside and onto the water. For rivers with seasonal flow, it needs to be high enough not to effect spawning beds etc. This just needs to be a green block when the river is high enough and online so people can see it before they leave for the river. Like http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/conditions/gauge1.php with the Red line above which is suitable.
Landowners need help to create footpaths and gates through their land so kayakers can get to the water without causing any damage. These footpaths, parking, portaloos etc. should be maintained by the WCA (with more money from membership fee / government to pay someone to oversee this) Kayakers found abusing this system should be fined with the money going to mountain rescue services.
It should be free to paddle the Dee, setting an example to landowners, and those without a valid argue should be cautioned / fined for being a pain in the arse.
Cheers
Chris Eastabrook
