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CLA in the news: access to rivers debate The CLA's national access adviser Caroline Bedell was interviewed on Countryfile (16 Jan) setting the case for landowners retaining the ability to manage who has access to rivers on their property. The British Canoe Union (BCU) claims that canoeists don't have access to 98% of rivers in England and Wales (although the government's own figures dispute this) and are campaigning for much greater access to water.
Caroline Bedell stated that riparian rights are an important source of revenue for owners and that many will have long-standing arrangements with anglers. Mrs Bedell expressed concerns over the environmental impact of increased river access and the wish of people who have bought land in the countryside for peace and quiet to preserve privacy - especially where rivers passed close to their houses and gardens.Mrs Bedell highlighted that with increased access, not all canoeists will be responsible and have arranged insurance: "There is also the issue of liability. Who is responsible for incidents? The landowner or the canoeists?" Taking the Countryfile presenter Miriam O'Reilly on a paddle down the River Mole in Surrey, Noel Humphrey of the British Canoe Union (BCU) - the main group campaigning for greater access to rivers - dismissed concerns about the impact on fish and fishing claiming that there is "no conclusive evidence that canoeing disturbs fish". Also interviewed on the programme was Andrew Fuller of the Dorking Anglers Club who stated that canoeists, often paddling in shallow water, did 'spook' fish and Mr Fuller went on to suggest that canoeing disturbed spawning beds. Tim Joiner of the BCU threatened that unless landowners were "much more accommodating", that canoeists would seek legislation to impose statutory access. However, there may not be as much political will for statutory access to waterways as there was for walkers on open country. Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael stated on the programme: "I would like to know what legislation would actually make a difference. You can't wipe away through legislation the rights of riparian owners, of landowners and access rights and fishing rights that have been there for generations. "I have had people like the British Canoe Union, the sports representatives, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Agency around the table in order to work out steps we can take to increase access to water," add Mr Michael. Noel Humphrey of the BCU stated, "It's not just canoeists, its rowers, swimmers and gorge walkers too. We want to paddle these rivers just like ramblers can walk in the countryside." Mrs Bedell concluded her interview by emphasising that access rights for anglers and canoeists are best achieved by voluntary negotiations rather than costly legislation. 17 January 2005 |
Contact Sarah Slade MRICS
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More articles and documents [News Archive] [8 September 2004] GN32-03: Erosion to river banks and watercourses [Guidance notes] [8 August 2003] Defra's consultation paper on the implementation of the EU water framework directive [Consultation response archive] [7 November 2003] |
A chartered surveyor with responsibility for CLA policy on public rights of way and access issues. Provides advice to members on issues arising from public access to the countryside.
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