Sustainability Committee’s inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

On 15 July 2009, the Sustainability Committee agreed the following terms of reference for its inquiry into access to inland water in Wales.

• To examine the current position for access to inland water in Wales and to make recommendations.

The committee is keen to hear the views of as many people with an interest in the subject as possible and would like to invite you to submit a written response to the questions in the attached annex.

We welcome contributions in Welsh and English. Please submit you evidence in electronic form if possible.

Draft questions for the access to inland waterways inquiry

What is your interest in the issue of access to inland waterways

• Land owner
• Recreational user
• Fishing
• User for waterborne recreation (e.g. canoeing, rowing etc)
• Other (please specify)

Are you a member of an organisation related to your use of water?

• If yes, which organisation/s?

Which stretch/es of water do you own/use/manage?

Legal rights

• Are you happy that your legal rights are clear and well defined?
• Can you briefly outline your understanding of your legal rights over the stretch of water/s that you own/use/manage
• Would you like to see any changes to your legal rights?
• If yes, what changes would you like to see?
• Are you aware of any legislation that exists in other countries that could be used in Wales?

Voluntary agreements

• Do you have any experience of voluntary agreements for access to the stretch of water/s you own/use/manage
• If yes, please briefly outline the agreements that exist and your experience of how they operate.
• Would you like to see any changes to the voluntary agreements?
• If yes, what changes would you like to see?
• Are you aware of any voluntary arrangements in other countries that could be used in Wales?

Please can you briefly outline what you think are the key issues for recreational access to inland water in Wales and how you would like to see them addressed.

I would be grateful if you could submit any written evidence by Friday 19 September 2009 to Virginia Hawkins, Clerk to the Committee, at:
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Further information regarding the Committee’s inquiry into access to inland water in Wales can be found on the Committee web pages at:
http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-committees/bus-committees-thirdassem/bus-committees-third-sc-home.htm