SC(3) - AIW31

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) [X]

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

Haverfordwest Kayaking Club

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

I use all accessible parts of the Cleddau river in Pembrokeshire which are defined as being tidal rivers with free access for recreational users.

Legal rights

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

Yes

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

As a tidal river, access to navigation on it is open to the general public. Non-tidal rivers do not permit general public access and is deemed as trespassing should one do so.

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

Yes

If yes, what changes would you like to see?

Legal access to waterways across England and Wales, specifically non-tidal rivers.

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

The Scottish land reform act, Scottish Outdoor Access Code,

Voluntary agreements

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

No

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

N/A

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

N/A

If yes, what changes would you like to see?

N/A

Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales? Not at this time.

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 key issues to me seem to be that of the demand by general public to have access to waterways across England and Wales and that of the land owners firstly granting that access and secondly having peace of mind that their land/property will be respected at all times. Vast opportunities could present themselves once total access is granted from farmland being adapted to camp sites and in result supporting local farming to the new asset to local tourism to help support local business. We only need to look at Scotland land reform to see how to obtain the overall goal and negotiate our way through the complications in getting there.

James King