SC(3) - AIW45

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways?

I am a canoeist.

Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?

I am a member of the Welsh Canoeing Association and a honorary member of Gwendraeth Valley Paddlers.

Which stretches of water do you use?

I am not happy that my legal rights are clear and well defined.

To gain access to the water I may have to cross private land and I know I must have permission for that. However once on the water it is my understanding that no one owns the water and therefore I am not breaking any laws.

As far as tidal waters are concerned I believe I have a right to canoe those waters.

I want to see legislation in Wales that mirrors that currently in Scotland, in that I will have the right to canoe inland waters subject to rights and responsibilities as they have in Scotland.

I have canoed in Canada and also in France where I saw no conflict. I believe the Scandinavian countries have a right to canoe all waters - subject to responsibilities.

Voluntary Agreements

I have been canoeing in Wales for the best part of 30 years and for most that time have taken on board those voluntary agreements which used to exist.  They were few and far between and restrictive in the extreme. For example on the Afon Dee in North Wales the recreational canoeist was restricted to I think 4 weekends in the winter months - which led to massive honey potting of the Llangollen area.  In my own local area I tried and failed to arrange a voluntary agreement to paddle the non-tidal stretch of the Afon Tywi.  I was rebuffed and told to travel to the Afon Wye!

The Afon Teifi only had a small stretch where there was an agreement - in Llandysul.

Voluntary agreements have not and will not work.  First of all to what are we agreeing?  No one owns the water that flows.  What happens when one riparian refuses to sign up?  How would we know what parts of a river have agreements?

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.

We need clarity and the certain knowledge that we can access the inland waters always subject to rights and responsibilities and again I would refer you back to the legislation that those in Scotland enjoy. The days are long gone when one user group has sole use to a natural asset.

Bob Andrews