Canoeists - epetition reply
29 January 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to pass legislation to give canoeists and all other users of un-powered craft the free right to navigate all rivers and canals in England and Wales (similar to the right already enjoyed by cyclists to use bridleways, cycle tracks and roads)."
Details of Petition:
"Access to rivers in England and Wales for canoeists and other users of un-powered craft is severely restricted, and is probably more limited than for any other region in the World. On only a very few rivers (e.g. parts of the Severn and Wye) is there a right of free navigation for canoeists. River navigations are available to un-powered craft, but only by the purchase of a licence. The majority of rivers are either only available by making an advanced booking and by paying a fee to use them during restricted periods in the Winter season (e.g. the River Usk), or have no access permitted at all (e.g. the River Test). Canoes are a form of sustainable transport, and can be used by almost all age groups. They also provide a mechanism for exercise, sport, recreation, and the study of wildlife. Access to waterways was specifically omitted from Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2002. This omission now needs to be urgently addressed."
Read the Government's response
This Government has an excellent record in delivering access to land for recreational purposes; and we are keen to see access opportunities extended further wherever possible and practicable. We therefore share canoeists', and other user groups', aspirations for more and better access to inland water and have been working, through our agencies, to deliver this over a number of years.
We are aware that some people consider that only the creation of a statutory right of access to inland water would deliver access where it is needed. While we acknowledge that people hold this view, the Government's strong opinion is that it is not appropriate for a number of reasons.
Research we have undertaken has shown that there are certain "hotspots" where demand for access to water exceeds supply, and certain types of canoeing - eg white water and touring - which are not sufficiently catered for. In these circumstances, our conclusion from the evidence is that the demand for access would more effectively be met by a targeted approach, which involves identifying where access is needed, and then creating access agreements with the landowner and other interested parties. Pilot projects undertaken by the Environment Agency have shown what can be achieved. Another benefit of this approach is that it results in access arrangements that are clear and can be codified so that everyone knows what can, and cannot, be done under the agreement. We believe that this sort of arrangement would be welcomed by landowners and by most water users.
To help identify the demand for water access we have asked the Environment Agency to work with other stakeholders to draw up strategic plans. Draft plans for two of their regions - the South-West and East of England - should be published for consultation by the end of the year. The Agency is also prepared to work with user groups to help identify specific sites where an access agreement might be put in place.
Creating access via agreements will undoubtedly require goodwill and hard work on all sides and nothing will be achieved overnight. But we firmly believe that this is the right approach. Given the commitment of all interested parties, particularly water users and landowners, this managed and targeted approach should, over time, result in a significant increase in the amount of inland water accessible to all water users.
Further Information
