§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the proposed right to roam legislation to cover access to rivers by canoeists. [79693]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Government's plans to introduce a statutory right of access to open countryside will extend only to those on foot for the purposes of quiet open-air recreation. Statutory duties of the Environment Agency with respect to water include a duty to promote the use of waters and associated land for recreational purposes. The Agency and the water and sewerage undertakers also have environmental and recreational duties which include a requirement, so far as is reasonably practicable and consistent with other enactments relating to their functions, to ensure that water and associated land to which they have rights is made available for recreational purposes. They must also have regard to the desirability of preserving freedom of access to places of natural beauty. A revised Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation, which gives guidance on the exercise of these duties, will shortly be issued for consultation.