Dear Friend
The Welsh Canoeing Association (WCA) are currently lobbying the Welsh
Assembly to introduce a Land Reform Bill for Wales which would give the
right of responsible access to the open countryside and inland waters
of
Wales. The power to introduce such legislation was transferred from
Westminster to Cardiff last July, and we are currently in a position
where Assembly members are seriously looking at the WCA proposals. If
passed the pressure would greatly increase on Westminster to follow
suit
for England.
Although the law regarding access to the countryside in England and
Wales
was recently clarified through the Countryside and Rights of Way Act
(2000), this, however, did not include inland waters. As such water
sport
enthusiasts often face uncertainty as to their legal rights when
utilising non-tidal waters. There is no guarantee that a canoeist, for
example, will not be committing an act of trespass by simply traveling
down a river where they have not obtained permission from all those who
own land along the stretch being paddled. Introducing a Land Reform
Bill
would remove such uncertainties and allow all to enjoy their natural
heritage rather than making it the preserve of a privileged few
If you support idea of a Land Reform Bill for Wales, please sign the
online petition at
http://petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=2856.
The
Government of Wales Act (2006) requires the Assembly to act on
petitions
received if an issue falls within their powers so, if we get enough
people to sign, this petition can make a difference .The Welsh Assembly
have confirmed that signatures from anywhere in the world are
appropriate, so please sign up. It only takes a matter of
seconds.
Similar lobbying helped in getting the Scottish Parliament to pass the
Land Reform Act (2003).
Many thanks for your support. For more information please visit
http://www.canoeingisnotacrime.org.uk.
Best regards
The Canoeing is Not a Crime team