SC(3) - AIW43
Sustainability Committee
Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales
What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways?
User for waterborne recreation
Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?
No
Which stretch/es of water do you use?
River Wye
Afon Teiffi
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 use.
Parts of the rivers I use are subject to a legal right of navigation. Other sections are considered by some as private property belonging to the owners of the river’s banks, requiring an access agreement.
Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?
Yes.
If yes, what changes would you like to see?
I believe that water, as a natural resource belongs to everyone and therefore there should be no legal restrictions on the use of rivers in Wales except in areas of high sensitivity, such as fish spawning grounds, that require protection.
Are you aware of any legislation that existis in other countries that could be used in Wales?
Yes, Scotland - the Scottish Land Reform Bill
Voluntary agreements
Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you use?
Yes
If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.
WCA has pulled out of all Voluntary Agreements as, after 50 years of negotiation, recent Government studies have shown that they cannot provide the necessary water resources needed for water sport. I do not belong to the WCA or any other body and have not made personal access agreements.
Paddling the Afon Teiffi, which has a debated right of access I have encountered many fisherman, most of whom were happy with our presence. Only a minority were confrontational, the image people seem to associate when canoes and fishermen meet. My main concern was that in several places land owners had deliberately placed barriers across the river, such as barbed wire, to prevent access. This nearly resulted in a serious injury to myself and fellow paddler.
Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?
Yes.
If yes, what changes would you like to see?
Voluntary agreements are no longer an acceptable means of acquiring access to waterways. Access should be a legal right with agreements in place for short periods to restrict access during official events and to protect sensitive natural areas.
Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?
Yes, Grantully, Scotland.
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.
Decades of negotiations for access to waterways has resulted in only a tiny proportion of them being available to waterborne recreation users. Many of these agreements further limit the users to small periods of time. In the meantime the popularity of canoeing, kayaking and other uses of Wales’ waterways is increasing. This has given rise to the myth that if the waterways were opened up they would all become noisy, busy and polluted. Given access to the remaining 95%+ of waterways users would be widely dispersed along with the benefits associated with increased usage (health, local tourism, etc).
Prior to the introduction of the Land Reform Bill in Scotland, many parties were concerned about what it's effects might be, since it's introduction all concerns have been shown to be unfounded and people from all walks of life are able to share and enjoy the Water and environment, responsibly and without conflict.
Best regards
Joel King
