Improving Access for Canoeing on Inland Waterways – implementing the findings of Brighton 2
One of the actions to come out of the meeting with the Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, in October, was to have further meetings with the Environment Agency (EA) to look at Brighton 2 ("Improving Access for Canoeing on Inland Waterways – A Study of the Feasibility of Access Agreements") findings and see if there was the possibility of a way forward. The meeting took place in Bristol in mid-December and was attended by four BCU and WCA representatives.
The EA explained that their statutory duty included making improvements for all recreational river users (Their website highlights all this more fully) as well as a policy on “sustainable access”. They also stated that Brighton University had again been commissioned to carry out this further work (Hence the name Brighton 3)
DEFRA explained that access and the countryside was firmly on their agenda along with sustainable development. They were working on the implementation of the CrOW Act including the regulation of common land and the policy on National Parks. Access to water is an integral part of their work.
The meeting decided that a further meeting in early 2005 to set out a plan of action would be needed. It has been pointed out that although the Environment Agency is responsible for some of the waterways that canoeists need access to many others fall outside of the EA’s remit. In the meantime the EA said that they were going to go ahead with the implementation of the Brighton 2 findings. The BCU/WCA representatives stressed that before any work is undertaken on any of the four sites greater consultation must be had with the BCU and the canoeists within the local areas. It was felt that if this work was to take place with out in-depth consultation we could actually end up with less access particularly on the River Waveney where local access agreements are in place and that canoeing facilities were highlighted in a leaflet “Canoeing on the Upper Waveney” published in 2001 (by the EA, Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk County Council, Waveney District Council, Upper Waveney Valley Countryside Project and local canoeing and horse riding groups)
Perhaps of greater value to canoeists is the strategic plan and review of access that has been proposed.
Should this work by DEFRA fail to deliver; the BCU believes the only way forward is for primary legislation to provide access to our rivers. We shall then need the active support of every single canoeist and members of the public whether a BCU member or not for what will be Stage 2 of the Lobby to bring our case back into the public domain and increased attention.
The next phase
The next stage of the access study schemes for progressing the arranging of access agreements on the Rivers Mersey and Waveney commenced in January. The Environment Agency have re-appointed the University of Brighton as consultants to implement their findings from the university's research "Improving Access for Canoeing on Inland Waterways - a study of the Feasibility of Access.
Work on the Rivers Teme and Wear is planned for 2005/2006 and a start date has yet to be announced.
Since January the consultants have had a series of individual meetings with local BCU representatives and other users at both the Rivers Mersey and Waveney study areas for information to format arrangements for access agreements.
For the River Waveney work has progressed to an outline access agreement issued in February for local consultation. A background of custom and practice of canoeing on the river developed over many years by the Local River Advisors and Waveney Canoe Club has contributed to this work. Other activity in hand is for the Local River Advisor, Environment Agency and consultants to survey particular sections of the river from the water. Assessing potential portage and egress/access points and fencing recently erected the Agency are points of interest.
On the study section of the River Mersey between Stockport and Sale the local authorities are the major landowners. The consultants report that agreement has been reached in principle with these authorities for access to 85% of the 20km linear length of the study subject to resolving public liability issues. Local BCU representatives have been engaged in proposals for any management and local communications arrangements that may be required; plus contributing information on the physical aspects for paddling the river ie portages, access and egress points, car parking etc.
At the time of writing (March 11) the consultants report their negotiations continue in both study areas, and whilst on schedule, any final completion dates cannot be given. A progress report meeting is planned between the consultants and the BCU staff later this month.
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