Welsh Government Publishes Summary of Access Consultation Responses

The Welsh Government has, at last, published a summary of responses received to last year's consultation on 'Sustainable Management of Natural Resources', which included proposals to greatly improve recreational access to inland waters in Wales - but has chosen not to take forward those proposals at this time.

In a summary statement, the Welsh Government explains that "There were strong but differing views on how best to reform access legislation. We therefore believe that now is not the right time for substantive reform. But we are committed to exploring selected aspects of change where there was greater consensus, including on some of the administrative arrangements and multi-use paths. We will continue to facilitate further discussions through established groups such as the National Access Forum."

Canoe Wales is disappointed that the Welsh Government has chosen not to pursue its proposals, which would have provided much-needed clarity over the legal rights for access to rivers and other inland waters in Wales. We will now consider carefully how else we can pursue our aim to improve the access situation for paddlesports in Wales.

Click here for full details of the Welsh Government statement and summary of consultation responses.