Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon has said access to land and waterways ‘needs to change’, according to The Guardian.
Thousands of people turned up to protest on Dartmoor. (c) Right to Roam/Guy Shrubsole
Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon has said access to land and waterways ‘needs to change’, according to The Guardian.
The Labour party would pass a right to roam act if it comes to power, following the outlawing of wild camping on Dartmoor.
According to the newspaper a bill is being drawn up which would allow national parks to adopt the right to wild camp, but also expand access to woodlands and waterways.
Mr McMahon said it was a “scandal” that only 4% of waterways allow people the right to swim or paddle.
This is a huge step forward and a positive commitment from Labour. British Canoeing wrote to Jim MacMahon MP to outline our priorities for fair, shared access to healthy waters. It is exciting to see the shadow environment secretary say our waterways need to be opened up to more people and need to be cleaned up.
– Ben Seal, Head of Access and Environment at British Canoeing
He said a Labour government “would clean up the UK’s waterways for all to enjoy”.
He also echoed a key part of British Canoeing’s Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign by adding: “If people don’t have a stake in their environment they won’t fight to protect it.”
British Canoeing supports calls that the legal right to wild camp on Dartmoor should be fully re-established.
“This is a huge step forward and a positive commitment from Labour.
“British Canoeing wrote to Jim MacMahon MP to outline our priorities for fair, shared access to healthy waters.
"It is exciting to see the shadow environment secretary say our waterways need to be opened up to more people and need to be cleaned up.”
“Access to waterways has been a key priority for our members for many years and the reason why we launched our Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign in 2018.
“There is still work to be done but this is fantastic news for all water users.”
British Canoeing joined the British Mountaineering Council, Campaign for National Parks, the Open Spaces Society, the Ramblers, Right to Roam and The Stars Are for Everyone to oppose any deal that replaces public rights with ‘permissive rights’.
It followed a High Court ruling on 13 January that the tradition of wild campaign had no basis in law.
British Canoeing has been pushing for fair, shared, sustainable access to healthy waters and this year is crucial as we build-up to the next General Election.
Amending CRoW [Countryside & Rights of Way] legislation is one way to secure greater access to our inland waters.
British Canoeing has also been supporting the Right to Roam campaign and Green MP Caroline Lucas’ bid to extend a right of access to rivers, woods and greenbelt land.