Fellow Outdoor Swimming Society member, Fiona Weir, has set up an online petitionto put public access at the heart of the Government proposal for a New Era for the Waterways.
I think that Fiona makes a valid case that "people often find themselves confused, being ‘moved on’, breaking the law or (perhaps worst of all) staying away from inland waters altogether, because it is not clear where they are allowed to paddle, wade, kayak, canoe & swim." I know that Lucy and myself have been a bit reluctant at times to investigate new places because we're not sure if it's 'really' ok to swim there. It's been a relief, so far, to find that the places we have been to have had people already swimming!
Please add your name to the petition so that we as the users of the waterways can be heard. As clarification of areas we can use will not only help us, but will encourage others to join in the fun.
The petition is available here: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/25118
The Defra consultation document regarding the 'New Era for the Waterways', explaining the proposals in depth, is available here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/files/A-New-Era-for-the-Waterways-FINAL.pdf
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