Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

Wales and England are currently the only countries in Europe which do not have a fair and equitable system to allow access to inland waters.

In Wales we are blessed with many great rivers which should be enjoyed by the nation.

In Europe the rivers are used by a wide variety of craft without causing damage to the environment or conflict with fisherman. In Scotland both fishermen and canoeists share the rivers with their rights to access protected by law whilst in Wales and England the law is so old and muddled that nobody seems to be able distinguish who is in the right.

In many rivers such as the Wye both fishermen and canoeists have traditionally enjoyed the river and the landscape with no conflict existing in the area, are the fish somehow different in the Wye? If it can work here why not other rivers.

In the UK Environmental Officers use canoes to examine rivers where a delicate environmental system exists and where any land based access would damage the eco systems present.

It is time for Wales to join Scotland and the rest of Europe in giving greater access to inland waterways for the many and not just a privileged few.

Andy Peate
Dragon Paddlers Canoe Club and Welsh Canoe Association.