Rivers Access Campaign

http://www.riversaccess.org/pages/pv.asp?p=rac23&fsize=0

Access to rivers is a concern for us all; even wading in a river that has no access could mean that you are committing trespass. The purpose of the Rivers Access Campaign is not only to raise awareness of the access issue on inland waterways in England and Wales but to bring about a change.  The campaign is being undertaken by the British Canoe Union (BCU) on behalf all members of the public.

Background

The legal situation regarding access to water in England and Wales is different from other countries in the world, where canoeists are generally able to paddle large and small non-tidal rivers without seeking permission, as beds of these rivers are not privately owned. Under these different and more open regimes there is very little, if any, conflict between land ownership, angling and navigation interests, each having rights to the use of the water.

The Current Position

A substantial mileage of lowland flat water is managed by a number of navigation authorities. However, when compared with the large number of waterways that do not have access or navigation rights it is simply in-equitable and highly restrictive to a water based activity that needs access to water to pursue its activities.

"Private" waters represent the best canoeable rivers in England and Wales offering both challenging moving white water and calmer recreational water.  Both Labour and Conservative governments have consistently recommended that canoeists seek more access through negotiation on a waterway-by-waterway basis. Local negotiation has been well tried but has not succeeded in delivering any significant increase in access to and along water.

The clear conclusion is that negotiated access is no a viable way forward to achieve a fair and equitable share of water space. The BCU has concluded that this is predominately because riparian owners are not obliged to negotiate agreements and that established angling interests sometimes actively discourage canoe access agreements.

Local authorities, who have the powers of persuasion, have not made any orders under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The BCU have concluded that gaining access by voluntary and negotiated agreement is not effective. The only way forward is legislation or an access to inland waterways bill.

Facts:

• Only 2% of rivers in England and Wales have Public access
• The public do not have access along 65, 000 kms of rivers in England and Wales
• Whoever owns the land along the river (the riparian owner) also owns the property rights to the river bed.  They don’t own the water itself, only the land it passes over.
• If a river doesn’t have a public right of navigation and you haven’t got consent from the riparian owner, you’re committing trespass by paddling or even wading in it.
• Nearly all the most beautiful inland rivers are not accessible to the public.
• Canoeing is an increasingly popular recreation, and is not socially exclusive
• Canoeing is an affordable means of getting “on the water” for everyone, especially young people, families and the retired.
• Providing greater access to the rivers will enable a healthier and fitter nation as canoeing and other water sports are very much about participation.

These facts and figures may help too:

• Canoeists do not harm fish, fowl, flora or fauna and leave no trace of their passing.
• English Nature agree that there is unlikely to be any significant impact on or lasting disturbance to wildlife and the water environment from the passage of canoes.
• Environment Agency research has shown that canoeing does not impact on fisheries.
• A high quality environment is an essential part of the canoeing experience.
• Canoeing is a non-polluting activity sport.
• Anglers fish from boats and canoes.
• All other countries in the world do not have the situation where the bed of a river can be privately owned and they experience little conflict over use.
• Canoeing contributes to Government’s social objectives and does address social exclusion. Internationally, British canoeists have an enviable track record of international results.
• Our competitors have achieved medal success at every level of competition including Olympic, World and European Championships.
• Canoeing is an activity that is enjoyed by all ages, gender, race and ability.
• Canoeing assists in developing social skills for all ages but especially young people.
• Canoeing contributes to economic development through a healthy and growing canoe trade.
• Canoeing promotes a healthy life style through physical recreation.
• Canoeing promotes and canoeists acquire skills and sporting excellence.
• Canoeists travel extra distances to paddle when suitable local waters are not available.
• When preparing for the CRoW (Countryside and Rights of Way) bill, the Countryside Agency commissioned a poll by MVA Ltd in 1999 entitled “Access to Other Open Countryside - measuring potential demand”. The following public support was stated….69% were in favour of increasing access for canoeing and rowing, 19% against and 12% unsure.
• On the River Wyre the favourite method of collecting Otter spraints (droppings) and observing Otters is now undertaken by Canoe.
• Canoeing is an affordable means of getting afloat for everyone especially for young people and families.
• For several years in a well-known SSSI, canoes were used by English Nature to check how many eggs breeding water birds were hatching in their nests because canoes were the only way of getting to the nests without undue disturbance.
• Canoeing is an increasingly popular recreation particularly for the young and the retired.
• The BCU have local and regional longstanding advisors for each river to help with canoeing information of all kinds.
• Where an Access agreement is considered by paddlers to give paddlers equitable access they are adhered to and the BCU is happy to help promote, publicise and manage that agreement.
• There are over 2,000,000 people who go canoeing each year.
• Rivers are a superb natural classroom. Given greater access, schools can support the National Curriculum with out classroom learning and the possibilities for cross-curricular activities are almost endless.
• Canoeing and other water sports are very much about participation.
• Providing greater access to the rivers will enable a healthier and fitter nation.

Sign The River Access Petition NOW!
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RiversAccess/

There is a petition up for access to water.  This has been done as there is an EDM 1331 River Access - Non Powered Craft out and the petitioner decided that although he can try and ask his MP to sign the EDM what is needed was the opportunity for us all to say we support it in our own way through this petition.