Coastal Access -  Dorset coastal foot path underway

Along with numerous other public funded projects more should be known on the programme for coastal access in this month of October following the Governments spending review. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 has a £50 million funding package to create a near continuous footpath around the coastline of England with exceptions for docks, and places that require security etc.

Natural England the agency responsible for making this happen had ventured it would take 10 years,  and the prospect of cost saving measures by this agency’s parent body Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) could extend this period.    

Work is already underway on a 14 mile scheme eastwards from Weymouth in Dorset towards Lulworth that is expected to be opened by 2012 and provide a grandstand, albeit a very distant one for the Olympic sailing events. Starts for paths planned next year in Cumbria, Kent, Norfolk, and Somerset, could be subject to change with reduced funding.

About 30% of the coast has no public access and it was not just the Ramblers who lobbied support and welcomed the 2009 Act in the face of strong opposition from landowners. They were joined by a wide range of interests - rock climbers, the water recreation sector to include canoeists, surfers, kite surfers and sea anglers etc.  

The act not only has provision for a coastal route, it includes an access corridor between the high water line and the coastal path, making it possible to transit to and from the shoreline. For canoeists making a landfall it would provide a certainty of a right to go ashore in most places.       

INLAND WATERWAYS ADVISORY COUNCIL (IWAC)

Volunteering and Inland Waterways

IWAC’s latest report looks at a wide range of 20 organisations outside of inland waterways which successfully attract, integrate and retain volunteers.

A central theme throughout the individual case studies is the adoption of an explicit strategy which includes:

·       investing time, money and management effort into working with volunteers

·       building volunteer capacity within the organisation

·       re-assessing the breadth of roles volunteers can play in an organisation

John Edmonds, who chairs IWAC, called for all waterway organisations to use IWAC’s report to audit and refresh their current policies and practices.

John said: “A major transformation is needed in the way our waterways are managed.  In particular British Waterways and the Environment Agency need to reinforce their commitment to working with volunteers. 

This Report contains case studies featuring organisations across the economy that have made a success of working with volunteers.  Inland waterway organisations should learn from these case studies and develop their own tailored strategies to increase volunteering in the waterways sector.

How organisations go about successfully attracting, integrating and retaining volunteers varies. Large organisations such as the National Trust have allocated dedicated volunteer management resources. Smaller ones such as VODA have explicitly integrated roles and responsibilities for volunteering across existing staff.

But the common theme is that senior management positively commit their organisations to working with volunteers and make sure that all parts of their organisation have policies and practices in place to attract, encourage, and use the skills and enthusiasm that volunteers bring.”

Latest BW News Click here to view your copy of British Waterways' August e-newsletter, The Boaters' Update on Waterscape.com

WATERWAYS FOR EVERYONE - PUBLICATION OF SUMMARY OF RESPONSES

A summary of the responses to the consultation on the proposal to update the Government strategy for the inland waterways of England and Wales  may be found at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/environment.htm

Due to the change in Government there will not be a Waterways for Everyone document but hopefully they will take some of the ideas etc from the considered responses

Olympic Waterways

Great excitement as today is 2 years to the start of the London Olympics ...... Lea Valley White Water Course now is filled with water so all things are on track.

As a National Governing Body, Canoe England is very aware of the 2012 London Olympics, we believe that inland waterways truly have the ability to provide a legacy to this event for all. Public money that is put to the betterment of the waterways should therefore mean that waterways are open to the public. eg leaving Lea Valley (along with other waterways) as a true legacy from 2012. However, this is dependent on the waterways having the sustainable funding, management and the vision to deliver this in order to survive for the benefit of “Everyone”.  

See here...

Port of London Authority - Notice

Making Vessels Under Oars, Kayaks and Canoes more Visible to other River Traffic

To view this Notice on the PLA  website please click on the following link:

http://www.pla.co.uk/notice2mariners/pdf/U17_of_2010_-_Making_Vessels_Under_Oars__Kayaks_and__Canoes_more_Visible1.pdf

If you have any questions, recommendations, comments or wish to receive Notices to Mariners , contact the Port of London Authority at mailinglists@pla.co.uk

British Waterways Wildlife Survey

Between now and October, British Waterways want to hear from anyone who uses and enjoys the water environment what creatures they have seen on their local waterway, how many and where. Each sighting you record helps British Waterways' ecologists to monitor, protect and conserve the amazing biodiversity found on our canals and rivers.

British Waterways say, whether you're a seasoned otter spotter or a nature novice, the survey is open to everyone – and you can enter as many times as you like. It's a great day out and easy too. It is an on-line project and the link http://www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey tell you how to take part with a guide to the wildlife survey, and a form to log your findings.  

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. Find out more about from http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/support-the-international-year-of-biodiversity . Half of the UK population live within five miles of a canal, river, reservoir or dock, and there's never been a better time to get closer to nature.

Waterscape Boaters Update

See here  do particularly note the DEMOS comment!

National Assembly for Wales- Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales                                                           

WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Inland Waterways

Date 21 June 2010

__________________________________________________________

Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries (Richard Benyon)      I am pleased to be appointed as Waterways Minister as I am familiar with the public benefits the waterways provide and I am making this statement to set out how I intend to take forward inland waterways policy for England and Wales.  The Government considers civil society has a very valuable role to play in delivering public services as part of our commitment to creating a Big Society.  We will therefore be continuing to look in detail at whether a third sector model would be appropriate for British Waterways, including the possible inclusion of the Environment Agency’s navigations as the other navigation authority grant aided by Government.  My department will be engaging a wide range of stakeholders in this work (and liaising with the Scottish Government). However I must make clear that, given the Government’s overriding objective of reducing the financial deficit, no decisions on such a change will be taken until after the forthcoming Spending Review. In the light of this I have also decided not to proceed now with a new Government waterways strategy and I will review the situation following the Spending Review.

Active People's Survey - Canoeing Continues to grow in popularity ... in England

Please see below a summary of the latest Active People Survey results for Canoeing. The figures presented are those sport specific results designated Official Statistics, and include the following:

• 1 x 30 sport indicator (Grow target)
• 1 x 30 sport indicator for 16-18 year olds (Drop Off – for the 9 NGBs working with Sport England to address drop off amongst this key age group)

The figures are based on Active People Survey data for the period April 2009 to April 2010. Each result is presented alongside the corresponding figure for Active People Survey 2 (October 2007 to October 2008) and an indication of whether any changes observed are statistically significant (increase / decrease).

Please find attached a trend chart for Canoeing showing current performance against the Grow outcome. The chart shows that for its funded Grow interventions Canoeing is currently exceeding its target.

The second attachment to this email is some more detailed analysis of the 1 x 30 sport indicator results for Canoeing. This includes further information on changes over time, regional and key demographic breakdowns, frequency of partcipation, and rates of club membership, tuition and competition amongst participants.

Grow measure - 1x30 sport indicator (percentage and number of the adult population in England participating for at least 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity at least once a week in Canoeing)

Drop off measure (percentage and number of 16-18 year olds in England participating for at least 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity at least once a week in Canoeing)

Note: Canoeing is not a drop off sport

The 1 x 30 sport indicator (16-18 year olds) figures are presented to the 9 NGBs that will be working with Sport England to address drop off amongst this key age group.

...........................................................................................................................

So what about access then???

Canoe Wales Statement in relation to the National Assembly for Wales Sustainability Committee’s report on Access to Inland Water in Wales - 16/6/10

Canoe Wales is concerned that the report has explored this issue as a Canoeing vs. Angling debate rather than a careful examination of the wider interest and presenting solutions for the public’s use of water space in the future.

When the matter was presented to the Petitions committee the matter was examined in the light of public access to inland water. They also recognised and differentiated between the strategic mechanisms for securing access to water from its management. This is seen to be global best practise.

Rather than bringing clarity over a complex issue the report raises further questions and problems, together with the promise of additional bureaucracy for all users of water who simply want to enjoy their chosen sport and recreation.

The recommendations do not address the issues in relation to public access to inland water and will not influence the public to be more responsible yet alone more active in outdoor based recreation and tourism.

In the light of the report Canoe Wales believes that nothing has changed and in these circumstances that the situation in reality will remain the same as when the Petition process was first commenced.

Canoe Wales remains committed to solving the issue in the interest of the public.

Canoe Wales has and will continue to provide technical expertise to resolve this matter.

more here 

Call for 'right to roam' to help recession-hit towns

Creating new public spaces from disused railway lines and forgotten canals could help regenerate urban areas hit by the recession, a think tank says.

More information here

The diverse sport of canoeing has something for everyone regardless of age or ability.

Health benefits

The recreational aspects of canoeing match the government’s desire to encourage a healthy lifestyle change through the Change 4 Life initiative. Canoeing provides the opportunity for those who want to get fit outdoors rather than using an indoor gym.

Revitalising communities

Canoeing in both urban and rural areas leads to opportunities for employment, more inclusive communities, health benefits and of course a wide range of leisure opportunities.

British Waterways and the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust pilot the third sector

As part of its plans to establish a ‘national trust’ for the nation’s canals and rivers, British Waterways (BW) together with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (KACT) are piloting an innovative approach to managing the 200-year old Kennet & Avon Canal.  The launch of the initiative will give the people that use and waterway and the communities that live alongside it a much greater say in how the canal is managed.  

more info here

 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!

Portfolios Announced for DEFRA Ministers

Have a look Here to see who is doing what...

Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries

Portfolio includes...

• Natural environment
• Ecosystem services
• Biodiversity
• National parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty
• Wildlife
• JNCC
• Inland waterways (including British Waterways)
• Land management (including commons and contaminated land) and soil
• Rural Affairs
• Coastal erosion
• Marine and Coastal Access Act implementation
• Marine Management Organisation
• Coastal and wider access, countryside and rights of way
• Marine Environment
• Fisheries, including CFP
• EU Fisheries Council

Richard Benyon has been MP for Newbury since May 2005. Before coming to government Mr Benyon served as a Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Wildlife. Prior to this appointment he was a Party Whip.  He has also served on the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury handed over the parchment for the start of the relay at 10.00am on Friday 2^nd April and Paul Owen, Chief Executive of the British Canoe Union was on hand at Festival Pier in Westminster at 10am on Monday 5^th April to receive the parchment after its 100 mile journey

Tamsin Phipps, who organised the adventure and is the Boating Advisor for Girlguiding Berkshire said, “It was a tremendous weekend.  Canoeing has been very much part of Guiding for decades and is such a super sport to be involved in as families can all take part together which was very much the case in this100 mile Canoe Relay.

Leeds Canoe Club “sping cleans” river Aire

Leeds Canoe Club is often out on the river Aire at Kirkstall at the weekend, but on Saturday 24th April its members took to the water not just for fun, but with the local environment in mind. Members got together to collect 2.5 tonnes of litter from the section of the river that the club uses for its regular coaching and practice sessions.

 Read more here

The New Government

As the dust settles slowly the names of who is doing what are appearing.

The Secretary of State for Environment is Caroline Spelman

Caroline Spelman MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Prime Minister, David Cameron. Mrs Spelman is Member of Parliament for Meriden.

More here

The names of jumior ministers will be announced in due course..

Get ready for letter writing!!!!

Have you seen this?

Page 82 of the Lib Dems manifesto under the title of a Green and Pleasant land

It states that Liberal Democrats will

• Increase the general right of access to the countryside along the lines of the model introduced by the Liberal Democrats in Scotland.