National Access Forum Wales Access to Water Sub-Group

Purpose

This sub group worked between November 2019 and March 2021 to give priority to inland water issues and treat access to water separately as part of the Welsh Government Access Reform Programme. With members engaging openly and working co-operatively to find a pragmatic solution for Wales.

The Welsh Government also issued their Access to Inland Waterways Outline Policy Intent to support the National Access Forum.

The National Access Forum Wales (NAFW) has been asked to report the outcomes of its sub-group discussions, and associated conclusions and recommendations by March 2021.

Following the Senedd election, this report was re-issued to Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change from the Chairman of the National Access Forum for Wales in July 2021.

The Deputy Minister has confirmed that under Welsh Government’s new Programme for Government they are focussing on measures to designate Wales’ inland waters for recreation. This work is being commenced by the water branch of Welsh Government. The Deputy Minister has noted the findings of the subgroup’s report, and he will forward to the water branch so they may take the evidence into consideration.

Membership

Membership of the sub-group is derived from NAFW members on a self-selecting basis. It includes key stakeholders representing land and riparian ownership, as well as angling and paddle-sport (recreational and commercial) interests.

The subgroup is chaired by Dave MacCallum, Specialist Advisor: Water Access and Recreation, Outdoor Access and Recreation Team, Natural Resources Wales.