Some very recent supporters' comments
"For my father's 60th birthday, I had planned to get a canoe, and to use this for paddling and rowing trips. Well, I have just learned that if I do that, it will necessitate trips to Scotland, France or beyond, since we are denied access to our own lakes and rivers."
"I find it totally bewildering that the use of rivers and other water courses can be restricted by people that own land bordering the water. Isn't it time that the government did something to change the situation? "
"More access for swimmers in inland water."
"I had not realised that the restrictions were so widespread. I swim frequently in my local river and encourage others to do so."
"I have recently moved back to England after living in Scotland for 10 Years. I am a keen fly fisherman and open water swimmer and was amazed that there are still objections to access in England and Wales. As I have a foot in both camps I find the objections from my fishing peers to be not only archaic but in many instances based on extreme snobbishness. Scotland is proving that the fears of anglers are, in practice, unfounded and with RESPONSIBLE access we can all gain from and learn from each other's enjoyment of all the outdoors has to offer."
A Major National Scandal
The Radio Times (25th - 31st July) cover features Griff Rhys Jones with the strap line - why does Griff Rhys Jones call Britain’s waterways “a major national scandal”?
Inside he is quoted in a leader to an article for the series – "Owners of river banks have the legal right to stop people canoeing. It’s a disgrace, gross selfishness, a major national scandal”
The Facilities Inquiry, an independent inquiry into the nation’s sport and recreation facilities,launched its report and recommendations 18th May 2010
http://www.facilitiesinquiry.org.uk/Report
The recommendations of the panel
7) Access to, and maintenance of, waterways must be improved.
At present access to the UK’s waterways is highly restricted, and maintenance is dramatically under-funded. Opening up high quality water and waterside recreation would hugely increase the facility stock.
7. Waterways (Pg 16)
At present access to the UK Waterways is highly restricted and maintenance is underfunded. Opening up high quality water and waterside recreation would hugely increase the facility stock. Over 90% of the population live within 2 miles of a waterway and so could easily be able to access water facilities if restrictions were removed.
also see Page 51 Comments on access and the EA access policy!
Canoeing’s popularity on an exponetial rise...
Last week the Royal Yachting Association and partners published their “Watersports and Leisure Participation Survey 2009”.
Canoeing has again proved to be extremely popular and increasing dramatically in numbers taking part ..
more info? see here
 Why is there a campaign?
In England and Wales, unlike elsewhere in the world, the public cannot assume there is an automatic right to have access to rivers. People are incredulous when they are made aware of this situation. The campaign is to secure this right as a matter of public interest. In the UK, Scotland already enjoys that right.
Research has revealed that prior to 1830, it was generally accepted the public had a historical right of access to rivers. Legal opinions since have continued to diminish this position and created a lack of clarity for such a right.
Who is the campaign for?
The campaign is not just for canoeists. It is for all members of the public who share the view that a legal right for access to and along water would provide enormous recreational, educational and economic opportunities.
A right of access will provide certainty for the future of water related sport and recreation. The campaign has gained support from many interest groups and organisations who seek more access to enjoy the natural water environment - swimmers, anglers, walkers etc.
This website is updated almost daily so do log it as one of your favourites and come back and visit regularly. To date we have had over 50,000 people visit this website and 10,000 people have logged their support for RIvers Access Campaign. We are extremely proactive in presenting the issue of access. The latest Campaign News is always available under Campaign Comment.
Strive to be a rubbish canoeist!!!
 
Canoeing is recognised as being environmentally benign and man has been canoeing for thousands and thousands of years... so why not take John's example and become a rubbish canoeist!
John and his canoeing group found many unusual items including the usual bottles, cans, plastic bags, wrappers, fast food containers, paper etc we found a car wheel and tyre, two traffic cones, bear crate, punch bag, trike, buckets, a piece of gas main, camp chair (not just a camp chair an M & S camp chair), fishing lures, lines and hooks galore, scales, rod bags, 7 or 8 buoys and much more that had no place being where it was.
more information here
So take your own rubbish home with you as well as someone else's but dispose of appropriately.. help keep our waterways clean...
Keep rivers for ALL – not just the select few
Anglers Mail 5/6/07
Read more here
Why is there no access we have the Right to Roam?
Many of us now get out and about and enjoy our natural heritage as a result of the CRoW Act (Countrtyside Rights of Way Act) With some £69 million being spent on the implementation of the Act the Govt has stated their disappointment with the take up of the new rights and the relatively low visitor numbers.
But has CRoW helped everyone? In the case of canoeists, swimmers, non-powered watesports the answer is a definite NO!! Even if you want to watch wildlife from a boat/canoe, put your hot feet in the water after a walk, or allow you children to wade in a river on a hot summer’s day you could be committing trespass if there is no access to or along that waterway. Despite extensive lobbying water was taken out of the CRoW Act at the eleventh hour and still there is no access to and along 98% of the rivers in England and Wales.
Whose rivers are they anyway? “The frustration lies in the fact that at a time when obesity levels have risen to an unprecedented level and the government is encouraging more active lifestyles, this unique resource remains out of bounds.” - Outdoor Enthusiast Magazine Dec 2006
A song for a Canoeist
My paddle's keen and bright,
Flashing like silver,
There where the wild goose flies,
Dip, dip and swing.
Dip, dip and swing them back,
Flashing like silver.
Swift as the wild goose flight.
Dip, dip and swing.
The tune is here
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So you think canoeing isn’t a political issue?
So its over, and now we have a hung parliament, but the work continues... what are you going to do? With over less than 4% of the linear river resource in England and Wales having any public access or a right of navigation it is time that they are opened up for the benefit of all.
Help us to help you ... here
To make you smile
The 1948 Olympics Sprint Racing was held at Henley .... The BCU have the original footage and gave it to the ICF Guests who came to the ICF Board Meeting in December. The ICF have decided to add music to it ...and speed up the footage... Benny Hill style!!
Have a look... here
Wild Swimmers call for a change in the access situation too
They, like millions of others, want clarity and certainty of access..
see here
Same old angry misinformation and hot air!!…
Some of the angling fraternity seem to be cranking things up and being extremely aggressive about the campaign for access to inland waters. Much misinformation and hot air is being put out!!! Increasing access to inland waters is for them too … as well as for many millions of others. Time for a change. It is not un-fetted access as Mr Salter MP states, it is access for all (non powered craft ).. rights with responsibilities. It is not about trespassing across private land is it about all of us all accessing water and using the rivers and inland waters appropriately..... .nothing unreasonable with this at all...
Illustrations by Andrew Quick
How YOU can help the campaign...
Print your own poster here
We have got this far because of your support but there are things you can do to help us ..
Raising awareness
.... letter writing
and also here
to see what they are..
 Log your support
Support the Rivers Access Campaign by logging your support here
.Over 10,000 people have logged their support so far!
Access Incidents
Help us to produce an incident file where experiences of both positive and negative access situations are noted. Click here
for the incident form
Campaign Comment
Click here for the latest news and Campaign Comment
Site Map
Click here for a site map, and discover the huge amount of information available on this site
For exciting canoeing games and innovative canoeing designs on a wide range of goods.. 
The purpose of the Rivers Access Campaign is not only to raise awareness of the access issue on inland waterways in England but to bring about a change. The campaign is being undertaken by Canoe England on behalf all members of the public.
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