Published: 24.06.08

A team from the School of Environment and Technology and the Chelsea School at the university has just completed research commissioned by the Environment Agency Wales which will increase opportunities for water-related activities in Wales.

The Strategic Plan for Water Related Recreation in Wales was launched by Jane Davidson, AM, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing at Llandegfedd Reservoir, near Pontypool. The plan provides more opportunities for people to experience a wide variety of water activities, leading to a healthier lifestyle and a healthier environment. Wales has over 4,000 kilometres of rivers, over 1,400 kilometres of coast and 650 lakes. The new strategy looks at how these natural facilities can be used without overcrowding certain areas and having a detrimental affect on the water quality, the wildlife and any existing rights of users.

The Strategic Plan for Water Related Recreation in Wales is the first such plan to be launched by the Environment Agency, with others currently being developed for some of the English regions. Professor Neil Ravenscroft, who jointly led the development of the Strategic Plan with  Professor Andrew Church, said that this was a further indication of the national profile of the University of Brighton in water-related recreation research.

Neil said: ”Over the past eight years, the University of Brighton has established itself as the leading centre in the UK for the study of water-related recreation and the development of strategic approaches to its provision and management. The launch of the strategic plan for Wales marks an important stage in this process, and we look forward with anticipation to the contribution that it can make to improving water-related recreation opportunities in Wales. We are delighted to have built strong working relationships with the Environment Agency in England and in Wales, and trust that we can continue to contribute to the strategic planning process throughout England.”

Chris Mills, director of Environment Agency Wales said:

“Our rivers, lakes and coastline are cleaner and healthier than they have ever been. We at Environment Agency Wales, along with our partners, water companies, industry and farmers, are working hard to make sure they stay that way. And people should be able to use and enjoy these waters. It’s a great way to develop an understanding of how precious an environment we have in Wales. However, as well as being responsible for protecting and improving the water environment, Environment Agency Wales has a duty to protect water-related sports recreation. We are pleased to have led on the development of this strategy and look forward to working alongside many others to implement it.”

Jane Davidson AM (Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in the Welsh Assembly Government) took the opportunity to experience some water-based recreation first-hand at the reservoir with a quick sailing trip. She said:
”As minister responsible for countryside access I am pleased to have the opportunity to formally launch this new Strategic Plan for water related recreation in Wales. I believe that water resources in Wales are under-utilised in terms of opportunities for recreation and have huge potential to be used for recreational activities – on a sustainable and responsible basis. A range of benefits are available to the people of Wales and visitors to Wales if we can do this successfully. Our economy in Wales can benefit significantly from the development of more water-based recreation initiatives. The new strategic plan has a real focus on possible new opportunities for water-based recreation across Wales and identifies a number of exciting possibilities.”

To help implement the plan and deliver the new opportunities, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is providing new funding of over £400,000 this year to Environment Agency Wales for new water recreation projects. WAG will use the strategic plan to explore ways in which new opportunities can be delivered on a consensual basis.

The project, led by Professor Ravenscroft and Professor Andrew Church included Paul Gilchrist from Chelsea School and Becky Taylor from Plumpton College.