SC(3) - AIW378

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

Contribution from:- John Bagby Interest:- Access to Rivers for Recreational Canoeing Membership:- Sidmouth Canoe Club Date:- 18th September 2009   Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the state of inland river access in Wales. The Welsh Canoeing Association has sought to negotiate voluntary access agreements to rivers over many decades.  Despite their hard work, the intransigence of angling interests has never led to any form of fair or reasonable access to rivers. The selfish attitude of angling interests to exclude all others from the Nation’s rivers is unacceptable in modern Welsh Society.  If you visit almost any other country in the world, you will find working models for sharing these marvelous resources.  Such a solution is already in place in Scotland through the Land Reform Act. If the Welsh economy wishes to gain benefit from tourism, then legislation is required to allow responsible access to rivers for all interests.  It pains me that I drive to France and fly abroad, to canoe where I am made to feel welcome, whilst Wales’ superb natural resources are ignored.  Please take the necessary steps to return the rivers to the Nation.