SC(3) - AIW48

Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

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

Land owner
Recreational user:
Fishing
User for waterborne recreation (e.g. canoeing, rowing etc) All my family Kayak Mark Karen Rebecca and Robert Hayes.

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

If yes, which organisation/s?

BCU.

Which stretch/es of water do you own/use/manage?

Legal rights

Are you happy that your legal rights are clear and well defined?

No.

Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?

A lot more Access to inland waters.

If yes, what changes would you like to see?

An agreement that allows you to paddle any river with enough flow ie a spate agreement.

Are you aware of any legislation that exists in other countries that could be used in Wales?

Yes in France Scotland Norway US most of Europe in fact.

Voluntary agreements

Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage?

Yes but manly only from November to March when its very cold!

If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.

The River Crake in the Lake District has an agreement for November to March.

Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?

Yes.

If yes, what changes would you like to see?

A only paddle when the River is at a certain level.

Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?

Yes 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.

I am in agreement with the Petitions Committee's short inquiry into Access Along Inland Water, which has clearly highlighted the issues present and their recommendation that the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides a useful basis from which a unique Welsh model of legislation could be developed.

Regards

Mark, Karen, Rebecca And Robert Hayes