Archived News

British Waterways Wildlife Survey
July 2010

Between now and October, British Waterways want to hear from anyone who uses and enjoys the water environment what creatures they have seen on their local waterway, how many and where. Each sighting you record helps British Waterways’ ecologists to monitor, protect and conserve the amazing biodiversity found on our canals and rivers.

British Waterways say, whether you’re a seasoned otter spotter or a nature novice, the survey is open to everyone – and you can enter as many times as you like. It’s a great day out and easy too. It is an on-line project and the link http://www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey tell you how to take part with a guide to the wildlife survey, and a form to log your findings.

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. Find out more about from http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/support-the-international-year-of-biodiversity . Half of the UK population live within five miles of a canal, river, reservoir or dock, and there’s never been a better time to get closer to nature

Port of London Authority – a guide to navigation lighting requirements
July 2010

Following a series of lighting trials arranged in conjunction with Canoe England, the Port of London has issued a Notice to Mariners for:

Making Vessels Under Oars, Kayaks and Canoes more Visible to other River Traffic

To view this Notice on the PLA website please click on the following link:
http://www.pla.co.uk/notice2mariners/pdf/U17_of_2010_-_Making_Vessels_Under_Oars__Kayaks_and__Canoes_more_Visible1.pdf

Call for ‘right to roam’ to help recession-hit towns
June 2010

Call for ‘right to roam’ to help recession-hit towns June 2010 Call for ‘right to roam’ to help recession-hit towns June 2010 Call for ‘right to roam’ to help recession-hit towns June 2010
Creating new public spaces from disused railway lines and forgotten canals could help regenerate urban areas hit by the recession, a think tank says.
More information http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8705079.stm

The diverse sport of canoeing has something for everyone regardless of age or ability.

Health benefits
The recreational aspects of canoeing match the government’s desire to encourage a healthy lifestyle change through the Change 4 Life initiative. Canoeing provides the opportunity for those who want to get fit outdoors rather than using an indoor gym.

Revitalising communities
Canoeing in both urban and rural areas leads to opportunities for employment, more inclusive communities, health benefits and of course a wide range of leisure opportunities.
The full report can be found at http//www.demos.co.uk/publications/resilientplaces

Tidal River Thames – Sewage discharges from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works, Isleworth
February 2010

Thames Water have arranged a trial for an email notification system to let canoeists, rowers and other water users know when Mogden Sewage Treatment Works is discharging any sewage which has not been fully treated into the tidal River Thames.

To receive updates refer to the link: http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/3644_9989.htm

Environment Agency Consultation – Craft Identification on the River Wye
Article Date: January 2010

The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the River Wye where a public right of navigation extends from Bigsweir Bridge upstream to Hay Town Bridge. Historically, the River Wye was an important commercial waterway and today the boating on the river is mostly canoeing and rowing, with some passenger sightseeing boats operating around Symonds Yat.

The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the River Wye where a public right of navigation extends from Bigsweir Bridge upstream to Hay Town Bridge. Historically, the River Wye was an important commercial waterway and today the boating on the river is mostly canoeing and rowing, with some passenger sightseeing boats operating around Symonds Yat.

Canoe England will be responding to the Environment Agency consultation on Craft Identification for the River Wye after gaining opinions from BCU colleagues and the canoeing community. Canoe England notes the Environment Agency discusses the options of a voluntary or a formal identification and registration scheme that could apply to all or parts of the River Wye to include the upper river and tributaries.

The Environment Agency want to take account of your views before they make any craft identification policies or decisions that may affect you.

The consultation documents can be viewed at:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/114670.aspx
Closing date for responses 31st March 2010

Defra launch ‘Waterways for Everyone’ consultation
December 21 2009

Defra has today launched a consultation on an updated Government strategy for the inland waterways of England and Wales – “Waterways for Everyone”.

Waterways for Everyone sets out the Governments strategy for further enhancing the public benefits of inland waterways by widening the involvement of stakeholders and by supporting the management and development of the waterways.

The consultation and details of how to engage with and respond to the consultation can be found on Defra’s website at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waterways/index.htm

They welcome views and comments from all with a potential interest in our waterways and who stand to gain from their vibrancy and greater use i.e. members of the public, waterway authorities, non-governmental organisations, local authorities and communities, regional development agencies, associated businesses and user groups. If you are aware of anyone or any organisation that might be interested in seeing and commenting on the consultation paper but is not listed, please let us know (via the contact point in below) and we will also seek their views.

Strategy for Water Related Recreation: Enjoying water

The Environment Agency is asking for your views on its new Strategy for Water Related Recreation in the North West and forthcoming study in London and the South East.

Find out more about Strategy for Water Related Recreation studies

The Environment Agency is asking for your views on its new Strategy for Water Related Recreation in the North West and forthcoming study in London and the South East.

The Environment Agency is asking for your views on its new Strategy for Water Related Recreation in the North West and forthcoming study in London and the South East.

Lower Thames Flood Risk Management Strategy
October 2009

The Environment Agency have made recommendations for a £300 million scheme to include building flood diversion channels, improving river weir structures, providing some localised protection for groups of houses, and a range of other ways of managing the floodplain to include recreation.

See www.environment-agency.gov.uk/lts for more details

Marine and Coastal Access Bill
October 2009

The Bill received Royal Assent on 12 November to create the Marine Bill and Coastal Access Act 2009. Find out more about the Act from the DEFRA Access Newsletter

In summary the act will create:
A new marine planning system designed to bring together the conservation, social and economic needs of our seas. Four regional projects have started working with local groups and businesses to identify which areas will be designated as Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ’s). The August 2009 issue of Canoe Focus featured an article on the schemes. Canoe England will contribute to the recently announced Balanced Seas project. Read the Article from August’s Canoe Focus

Marine Conservation Zones- Introducing Balanced Seas
October 2009

The Balanced Seas project (formerly Eastern Channel MCZ Project) been set up to help sea users and interest groups in the south-east to recommend Marine Conservation Zones to Government.

National Assembly for Wales
Sustainability Committee’s Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales.
Article date: October 2009

The terms of reference for the inquiry and evidence submitted to the Sustainability Committee can be viewed from the link:
http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-committees/bus-committees-third1/bus-committees-third-sc-home/inquiries_sd/sc_3_-access_to_inland_water_-_main.htm
NB. The October 2009 edition of Canoe Focus included an insert of evidence to the inquiry from Douglas Caffyn less the end notes references. The paper complete with end note references is available from the above link.

Environment Agency report – Thames Sewage overflow
Article date: July 2009

Heavy rain over West London on July 3 resulted in 200,000 tonnes of storm sewage (foul sewage diluted with rainwater) into the Thames estuary In the Isleworth area. The subsequent drop in dissolved oxygen caused the death of around 200 fish.

Such events are not rare as London’s sewer network and sewage treatment works have insufficient capacity to cope with high flow. The storm sewage causes the dissolved oxygen to drop in the river which can harm aquatic life. When this happens, hydrogen peroxide can be pumped into the affected area and oxygenation vessels, owned by Thames Water, can be used to restore the oxygen levels. In this case, the volume of storm sewage, tides, water temperature and low freshwater flows meant that these measures were not sufficient to prevent fish being killed.

A further incident on the evening of 7 July 2009 resulted in around a million tonnes of storm sewage being discharged from pumping stations, overflows and sewage works into the Thames between Isleworth and Erith. Deployment of the Thames Vitality (oxygenation vessel) and hydrogen peroxide prevented the dissolved oxygen levels dropping too low.

These events happen 50 to 60 times a year and on the 12 and 16 July rainfall caused further discharges of storm sewage into the estuary in London on a smaller scale. The Environment Agency and Thames Water raised oxygen levels with hydrogen peroxide and there was no detrimental impact on aquatic life.

The sewage treatment works, pumping stations and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) along the River Thames have legally consented discharges. The capacity at Thames Water’s Beckton, Crossness and Mogden sewage treatment works are due to be expanded which will increase capacity.

The Environment Agency is one of the key supporters of the Thames Tideway Tunnel scheme (often known as the Super-sewer) as a solution to cope with excess storm sewage. Once completed, these huge tunnels running under London will store storm sewage and transfer it to Beckton sewage treatment works. The tunnels should prevent most of the storm sewage discharges into the Thames and will provide a much-needed upgrade to a sewerage system that has not seen major changes since early last century.

Since the incidents, there have been many reports of sewage in the Thames between Isleworth and Hammersmith. During storm events, faecal solids are discharged in the storm sewage, but these are usually fairly well broken up and breakdown within 2 – 4 days. Other sewage litter can also be seen immediately after an event but this too usually dissipates fairly rapidly. As the reports of sewage solids persisted, Environment Agency staff have visited the area on several occasions and confirm that the solids are not faecal matter nor have they washed out of the sewers. They have been identified by our biologists as a Bryozoan (moss animal) called Plumatella. This is an invertebrate colony which usually attaches itself to stones on the river bed. Although this is a natural occurrence, we are still investigating why it is present is in such large quantities and why it has become detached. The presence of this organism is not having a detrimental effect on water quality, and is not a health risk to river users in any way.

Thames Water have been asked to send a skimmer vessel up river to remove some of this material.

The Environment Agency will continue to investigate and monitor this unusual occurrence. If you have any queries health, then please contact the London Port Health Authority
[email protected]

The Access Debate
Article Date: 29/07/09

Canoeing and the access debate have been in the public eye recently as a result of the comments from presenter Griff Rhys-Jones and the BBC One River Series in which Rhys-Jones features (Sundays 9pm for another 4 weeks or on i Player).
Mr Rhys Jones has been quoted as calling Britain’s waterways “a major national scandal” and saying that “Owners of river banks have the legal right to stop people canoeing – it’s a disgrace, gross selfishness, a major national scandal.”
These comments have generated heated debate in the national media.

Canoe England has welcomed Griff Rhys-Jones statement – “It’s time to reclaim our rivers” and is responding to the subsequent debates.

The rivers are a national treasure which should be open for all, but there is a lack of clarity and certainty to access to inland waters for the freedom to experience the pleasures and benefits that canoeing offers in England (and Wales).
To follow the debates and see how the media are representing the issue please look at the Rivers Access Campaign News section where it is portrayed in full. (link to the RAC Campaign Comment section

http://www.riversaccess.org/pages/pv.asp?p=rac96&fsize=0

“Calling all those interested in access to our rivers in Wales!”
Article date 29/07/2009

Should there be an automatic right of access to our rivers, lakes and reservoirs?

That’s the question members of the National Assembly’s Sustainability Committee are asking.

The committee will be taking evidence from Professor Andrew Church from the University of Brighton and the University of Gloucestershire’s Dr John Powell who have both produced reports on the issue for the Environment Agency and Countryside Council for Wales.

“This issue came to us from the National Assembly for Wales’ Petition’s Committee,” said committee chair, Mick Bates AM. “It started life as a petition from the Welsh Canoeing Association so it shows that the National Assembly is seriously looking at the issues raised by voters of Wales.

The National Assembly has launched its inquiry. It is a very positive step and we are getting some interesting ancillary political chatter.

Please take time to respond to this …

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