SC(3) - AIW32

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

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

I use the water for the following reasons OBSWART (search and rescue), Fishing, Canoeing/Kayaking, Gorge walking.

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

Yes.  Fishing EA via a rod licence and Canoeing via membership to the BCU (British canoe union.

Which stretch/es of water do you use?

Any I can but I am limited to canoeing extremely little near my home in Machynlleth.

Legal rights

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

No not at all happy with legal clarity of water access.

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

Current understanding is the landowner adjoining the water course has the right to allow or deny access.

Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights? If yes, what changes would you like to see?

I would like to see without a doubt is the same law as in Scotland that access is allowed as long as the river ect is navigable. We should have no restrictions on access for anyone just sensible coservation rules.

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

Just Scotland's.

Voluntary agreements

Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.

I think the national trust allow access to their water in the Snowdonia national park especially Llyn Dinas and the Afon Glaslyn but only if water levels are high enough according to marker posts.

As a keen outdoors man, environmentalist and hydro engineer I would like to see no restrictions as in Scotland just a sensible set of conservation rules that could be policed by park rangers etc.  I would also be prepared to pay for something similar to a rod licence if I was able to canoe (i.e. an access licence).

Best regards,

Neil Hopkins