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Access to waterways isn't as simple as TV's Griff makes out, says CLA "From secret bends to urban meanders, our waterways are a national treasure. They need to be opened up for everyone" - that's according to TV star Griff Rhys Jones who has just finished filming a series on river journeys.
In a recent article in The Times newspaper, the comedian and film-maker said: "We don't know how to use waterways any more. Rivers were once our transport, our water supply, our food source and our sewer. A clause in the Magna Carta even legislated on fish traps, to help to keep our rivers navigable. "From Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh borders, down through 40 miles of winding Herefordshire meanders, there is no automatic right of access to the Wye. Only when you reach Ross-on-Wye can you return your canoe to the water." Rural economy experts the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) says Griff has a point but it believes you have to take a balanced view when it comes to access of any sort. "Our view on use of waterways is that access should be negotiated. There are numerous competing interests - including farmers, fishermen and environmental interests," said CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher. "Partnerships between local people, landowners and organisations will achieve the kind of waterway access that everyone needs and we want to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the countryside. "However, privacy issues must be taken into account - especially where public river access might run alongside private homes and gardens." Meanwhile, the CLA President has said he is "relieved" that parks and gardens are to be excluded from the Marine and Coastal Access Bill - a proposed law to create a round-England coastal path. "Even before this Bill, 70 percent of the English coastline was available to walkers. The remaining 30 percent is not accessible for very good reasons, namely ports, harbours, military bases and areas left for environmental purposes. This shows that it is perfectly possible to create coastal routes without impinging on private parks and gardens,"he said. Rivers Journeys with Griff Rhys Jones' starts on July 26 on BBC One. CLA MEDIA CONTACTS: For further information and interviews: Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk, Out of hours: 020 7201 9511. NOTES TO EDITORS: 1. The CLA Game Fair, the world's biggest countryside event, will be held at Belvoir Castle, near Grantham, Leicestershire from Friday, 24 July - Sunday, 26 July. For full details and to apply for Press Passes to the show: www.gamefair.co.uk Contact: Fiona Eastman, Director of Marketing and Show Development, fiona.eastman@cla.org.uk or Marishelle Gibson, Senior Press Officer, marishelle.gibson@cla.org.uk |
Media Contacts Ollie Wilson T: 020 7460 7936
T: 020 7460 7934
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More articles and documents [News Archive] [6 December 2007] GN24-10 Impact of the Equality Act 2010 on Public Rights of Way and Public Access to Land (including permissive access) [Guidance notes] [6 December 2010] CLA45 - Diversifying the Dairy Business [Advisory handbooks] [9 October 2007] Entry level agri-environment scheme for Wales [Consultation response archive] [4 November 2003] |
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