SC(3) – AIW41

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

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

Land owner
Recreational user:
Fishing
User for waterborne recreation (e.g. canoeing, rowing etc)

I am a recreational Canoeist and kayak coach who wishes to be able to coach and guide people on Welsh rivers as part of the visitor economy.

I would also like to be able to take my young family onto local rivers without the fear of exposing hem to conflict.

Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?If yes, which organisation/s?

I am a member of  Canoe Wales.

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

I use rivers and estuaries primarily in North Wales.

Are you happy that your legal rights are clear and well defined?

I am clear that I must seek permission of the landowner, and riparian rights owner before accessing inland water in Wales. (this is an impossible task to achieve as it virtually impossible for anyone to truly establish who owns particular stretches of land and whether they have sold on sporting rights.)

Can you briefly outline your understanding of your legal rights over the stretch of water/s that you own/use/manage?

I understand that without having gained permission to access the water I expose myself to being asked to leave the river or face accusations of trespass.

Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?

Having kayaked on rivers all over the world and been welcomed by host nations to responsibly access their rivers, I see a fantastic opportunity for Wales to follow the lead of Scotland in providing clarity on responsible, sustainable access to inland water.

If yes, what changes would you like to see?

As above.

Are you aware of any legislation that existis in other countries that could be used in Wales?

As above.

Voluntary agreements

Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage?

I have many years of experience of benefitting from voluntary agreements only to see them breaking down and failing to provide satisfactory sustainable solutions.

If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.

As above.

Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?

Voluntary agreements can still be brokered to manage the requirements of different users and or the environment. However those agreements can only be practical if both parties have equal rights to access and both acknowledge each others rights and responsibilities. Without those equal rights either party can withdraw from negotiations or agreements with nothing to loose.

If yes, what changes would you like to see?

A land (water) reform act would allow all parties to be able to negotiate management plans which work for their interests and the environment, from an equitable starting point.

Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?

The only voluntary agreements I know of are time based i.e. morning and evening restrictions e.g. white water kayaking in the French Alps to allow undisturbed angling at these times. This arrangement appears to work but is formed on the basis of every body having a right to be there and needing to establish a way of respecting every ones rights of access.

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.

The lack of clarity associated with rights of access means that it is impossible for most UK citizens (or valuable foreign visitors) to understand the rights and restrictions associated with access to inland water. This confusion leads to frustration and all to often conflict. A land reform act similar to the Sottish solution is the only way to provide a truly sustainable solution.

Thanks

Chris Wright