SC(3) - AIW07
Sustainability Committee
Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales
Questions for the access to inland waterways inquiry
What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways
Personal and professional interest in canoeing /kayaking
Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?
Yes:
Welsh Canoe Association / Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres / Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panel / Institute for Outdoor Learning / Local Access Forum / Gwent Outdoor Education Service
Which stretch/es of water do you own/use/manage?
Commonly River Wye from Ross to Redbrook, River Usk Rhyadyr to Crickhowell. Less frequently River Monnow, Grwyne Fawr
Legal rights
Are you happy that your legal rights are clear and well defined
No
Can you briefly outline your understanding of your legal rights over the stretch of water/s that you own/use/manage
Access only allowed on Wye by law. Everywhere else technically breaking the law if no permission from the land owner
Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?
Yes
If yes, what changes would you like to see?
Right of passage on rivers, similar to the Scottish system for responsible users.
Are you aware of any legislation that existis in other countries that could be used in Wales?
Yes Scotland and Sweden.
Voluntary agreements
Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage
Yes
If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.
On the Usk seasonal / spate access on very limited sections. Restrictions on access egress points and limit on party size, limits on dates available, charges for use of some sections
Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?
Yes
If yes, what changes would you like to see?
Change in the law to allow responsible access along rivers
Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?
No
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.
There is currently very limited access causing severe over use in certain honey pot areas. Additionally I feel that by simply floating along a section of water I am very unlikely to cause any significant harm to wildlife, myself or other users. To enjoy some of the most spectacular and beautiful parts of Wales I currently have to break the law. That should change. It works in Scotland and Sweden (plus most of the rest of Europe) so should be adopted in Wales and England.
Ian Kennett
