Most Riverbanks in England Lack Public Access as Extreme Heatwaves Worsen
- 71% of riverbanks in England have no public access within 100 meters.
- Campaigners call for a right of responsible access to water and land.
- Lack of river access is most pronounced in the west of Cornwall up to northern England.
Access Denied: Most Riverbanks Lack Public Use
A new report from Right to Roam has revealed that almost three-quarters of riverbanks in England have no public access, with 71% lacking any adjacent access within 100 meters. The data spans across the entire country, covering river catchments from west Cornwall up to the Tweed River, which flows through northern England and Scotland.
According to Lewis Winks, an environmental social scientist from Right to Roam who led the research, 'Access to rivers should be a basic right, yet the vast majority remain off-limits.' He emphasized that as extreme heatwaves become more frequent and intense, it is crucial for the public to have access to waterways for cooling.
The report highlights significant regional disparities in river access. For example, 90% of the riverbank in one catchment has no access rights, while the figure drops to around half in another. Many designated walking trails are affected, such as the Severn Way and the Test Way, which often veer away from rivers due to limited access.
Kate Rew, from the Outdoor Swimming Society, expressed her vision for the future: 'In 20 years time, I want to see living rivers across England, with people free to reach them to swim, paddle, walk and spend time by the water.' She emphasized that being part of nature improves health and well-being. However, she pointed out that right now, 'people rarely fight for places they are excluded from,' and added that our rivers need people to advocate for them.
The government's response has been mixed. Keir Starmer’s administration committed to creating nine new national river walks, including the River Mersey walkway. However, Winks noted that the first of these had not resulted in any additional public access. The data also showed that 96% of rivers in England and Wales do not have a defined statutory right for activities such as swimming or paddling, making them off-limits to most people.
As record-breaking heatwaves continue to prompt families and young people to seek free ways to cool down, there has been increasing pressure on public officials to address this issue. Rescue services have warned that entering cold water can be dangerous, especially during extreme temperatures. The data published by Right to Roam revealed significant regional disparities in river access.
Call for Action: Rights and Access to Nature
Campaigners are urging Environment Secretary Angela Eagle to initiate a consultation on rights of responsible access to water and land as part of an 'access to nature green paper.' Lewis Winks emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that rivers should be accessible as a basic right for the public to benefit during extreme heatwaves. The government's commitment to restoring nature and increasing access is welcome, but critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure that people can enjoy these waterways safely and freely.
The lack of accessible waterways is particularly concerning given their importance as natural cooling sources in a warming climate. Reconnecting communities with their rivers is essential.
Source: The Guardian
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