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Petition for a Land Reform Bill
for Wales
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
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