Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to increase access to non-tidal navigable rivers by non-motor-powered river craft. [86863]
§ Mr. MealeThe Government sponsored Environment Agency and British Waterways, which between them are responsible for the majority of the country's navigable rivers and canals, continue to manage their waterways with all users in mind, as do other navigation authorities.
The Environment Agency has successfully acted as honest broker on a number of rivers in England and Wales to help secure access agreements. The Agency continues to encourage the development of access agreements and 246W currently chairs the Angling and Canoeing Liaison Group, which is developing a guide to the negotiation of access agreements. The guide will provide information for all likely parties who are seeking to achieve new access for canoeists, and other water sports and activities, to private waters. The Liaison Group expects to publish the guide in July.
The Countryside Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission have been asked to consider access to other categories of open countryside, including river and canal banks, as part of the Government's commitment to introducing a statutory right of access on foot to the countryside. Their reports are expected to focus on the case for an extension of access on foot, but may also take into account access for other types of recreational users in the countryside, such as people using boats, cycles or horses.