SC(3) - AIW40
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
User for waterborne recreation: kayaking
Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?
No.
Which stretch/es of water do you use?
I kayak on many rivers of Wales, for example: Conwy, Lledr, Llugwy, Mellte, Ned Fechan, Ogwen, Glaslyn, Mawdach, Gain, Twyi, Dee.
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
I believe the legal access for canoeing is restricted to tidal rivers. However, it is unclear to me whether ownership of land or fishing rights also include navigation rights for unpowered craft.
Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?
Yes.
If yes, what changes would you like to see?
Legal navigation on all rivers for unpowered craft and wild swimmers.
Are you aware of any legislation that existis in other countries that could be used in Wales?
In Scotland there is a right of navigation on all rivers for unpowered craft.
Voluntary agreements
Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage
Not currently.
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.
At the moment, fishermen and landowners have complete control over inland waters, and are able to prevent the activities of swimmers, canoeists, sailors, etc. This is wrong. Over several decades, voluntary access agreements have consistantly failed to give reasonable access to all water users. I would like to see an independant agency, possibly funded by some reasonably priced water-users license, which protects the rights of all water users, allocates access and minimum water levels for rivers on an individual basis, and deals with environmental concerns. All rivers are already catalogued on this website: http://www.canoewales.com/Guide/riverguide/walesmap.htm
Robin Scott
